A. Definition Of Graffiti: Any symbol, announcement, insignia, name identification, inscription, picture, or similar marking, including without limitation any letter, word, numeral, emblem, or combination thereof, that is painted, written, drawn, scratched, or in any other way placed on any wall, fence, sign, building, or other structure, or any sidewalk, pavement, post, stone, tree, or other real or personal property, private or public, except as specifically permitted by Village Code, ordinance, or regulation.
B. Graffiti Prohibited: It is hereby unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to place graffiti on any property and for any owner or person having control of any property to allow, permit, or otherwise tolerate the graffiti to be placed or to remain on that property.
C. Duty To Remove Graffiti: Every owner of property or person having control of property shall at his or her own expense, promptly remove, cover, or otherwise eradicate any graffiti which is placed on that property. (Ord. 93-11-626, 11-15-1993)
D. Penalty: Any person who fails to remove graffiti as required in subsection C of this section within fourteen (14) days after written notification from the Village to remove such graffiti shall be fined pursuant to title 13, chapter 1, "Fee Schedule", of this Code for each offense. A separate offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each day on which a violation occurs or continues after such initial notice has been given. (Ord. 93-11-626, 11-15-1993; amd. Ord. 2018-12-279, 12-3-2018)
E. Village Remedies: In addition to assessing the penalty provided in subsection D of this section, and if the owner of property or the person having control of property fails to take action required by said subsection D of this section within thirty (30) days after written notification from the Village to remove such graffiti, then the Village may take all such steps as are necessary to remove such graffiti. Such steps may include, without limitation, all action necessary to remove, cover, or otherwise eradicate the graffiti, and may also include action for an injunction requiring such owner or person to remove the graffiti within a time period determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
All costs incurred by the Village in taking any action pursuant to this subsection E shall be borne by the owner of the property or the person having control of the property. If such owner or person fails to reimburse the Village for costs necessary to abate the nuisance within thirty (30) days after the Village mails an invoice for such costs, then such costs shall become a lien on the property and the Village may perfect such lien with the Lake County Recorder of Deeds, and take all such action as may be necessary to foreclose and collect on such lien.
F. Remedies Against Perpetrator: The Village's exercise of the remedies provided in this section shall not prevent the owner of the property from recovering, through civil suit or otherwise, the cost of removal of graffiti or other reparation for damage from the person or persons responsible for placing the graffiti on such owner's property. (Ord. 93-11-626, 11-15-1993)