(A) Abandoned defined. If any sign shall become abandoned, in a manner defined herein, such sign is declared a public nuisance by reason that continued lack of use results in lack of reasonable and adequate maintenance, thereby causing deterioration and creating a blighting influence on nearby properties. An abandoned sign shall be any sign that meets any of the following conditions:
(1) Any sign that remains after the termination of its associated business or other use. A business or other use shall be considered terminated if it has ceased operations for at least 365 consecutive days.
(2) Any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the § 157.213.
(B) Determination of abandonment. When the Zoning Inspector finds, upon investigation, that a sign has been abandoned, the Zoning Inspector shall follow the enforcement process in accordance with § 157.214.
(C) Right to remove. If the sign is not removed as ordered, the same may be removed by the municipality at the expense of the owner of the realty upon which the sign is located. If the municipality is not reimbursed for the cost of removal with 30 days of such removal, the amount thereof shall be certified to the County Auditor for collection as a special assessment against the property upon which such sign is located.
(Ord. 66-2020, passed 11-24-20)