(A) Signs that do not conform to the sign chapter, and which lack a regular or conditional sign permit, may be ordered to be removed. Any sign in the city which must be removed pursuant to any of the foregoing provisions, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or lot upon which such sign is located. Such removal shall be effected within 30 days after written notification is received from the Building Official ordering such removal. Upon failure by any such owner, agent or person to comply with such notice within the timed specified in such removal order, the Building Official with the prior authorization and direction of the City Council shall cause the removal of such sign. Any expense incident to such sign removal together with all expenses incident thereto including legal expense incurred by the city shall be paid by the owner of the land whereon the building, structure or property to which the sign is attached. The total expenses thereof, if not paid upon due demand, shall be certified by the City Clerk to the Houston County Auditor for payment as a special assessment against the land whereon such sign or structure was located. The owner of the property from which the sign is removed shall be presumed to be the owner of all signs thereon for purpose of implementation of the foregoing assessment procedure.
(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the earlier or immediate removal, under the same provisions, of nonconforming signs which by reason of their lack of appropriate maintenance, hazardous location or some other reason are deemed by the Building Official of the city to be dilapidated, dangerous or in violation of the herein incorporated rules and regulations of some other authority having appropriate jurisdiction other than the city.
(Ord. 497, passed 8-10-15; Am. Ord. 531, passed 3-25-19)