(a) The Building Commissioner may cause the removal of an illegal sign in cases of emergency or for failure to comply with the written orders of removal or repair. In the event that any person, firm or corporation shall prevent the removal or assist in the prevention of removal of any sign ordered to be removed pursuant to this chapter, the Building Commissioner and the Law Department are hereby authorized to obtain from the Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County a temporary restraining order and a preliminary and permanent injunction, directing the removal of the sign. After removal or demolition of the sign, a notice shall be mailed to the owner stating the nature of the work and the date on which it was performed and demanding payment of the cost as certified by the Building Commissioner, together with an additional ten percent for inspection and incidental costs.
(b) If the amount specified in the notice is not paid within thirty days of the notice, it shall become an assessment upon a lien against the property of the sign owner, and will be certified as an assessment against the property, together with a ten percent penalty, for collection in the same manner as the real estate taxes. The owner of the property upon which the sign is located shall be presumed to be the owner of all signs thereon unless facts to the contrary are brought to the attention of the Building Commissioner, as in the case of a leased sign.
(c) For purposes of removal, the definition of "sign" shall include all sign embellishments and structures designed specifically to support the sign and all electrical wiring (up to the nearest junction box).
(Ord. 48-2001. Passed 9-24-01.)