(A) Notice. If the City Planner finds that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe, or is a hazard to the public, or is abandoned or maintained in a dilapidated condition, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or otherwise does not meet the criteria specified in §§ 4-2-7
, 4-2-9-1
, 4-2-9-2
or 4-2-9-3
of this chapter, he or she shall give written notice to the sign user or property owner thereof. If the sign user or property owner fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within one week after such notice, the City Planner may require a meeting with the violator as well as a notice. If the violation is not corrected within one week after the meeting, a notice will be sent out to the property owners to clean up the violation within 24 hours. If that is not done, the case will be referred to the City Attorney for prosecution.
(B) Removal. The City Planner may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate hazard to persons or property, or is located upon public property in violation of this chapter, to be removed summarily and without notice.
(C) Disposal. Any sign removed by the City Planner pursuant to the provisions of this section shall become the property of the city and may be disposed of in any manner deemed appropriate by the city. The cost of removal of such sign shall be considered a debt owed to the city by the owner of the sign and/or the owner of the property and may be recovered in an appropriated court action by the city. The cost of removal shall include any and all incidental expenses incurred by the city in connection with the sign’s removal, storage and disposal, and shall include court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(D) Penalty. Any person whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, violating or causing the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of any violation of this chapter as committed or continued by such person, and shall be punishable as herein provided.
(Ord. 596, passed 10-18-2011; Ord. 612, passed 4-1-2014)