§ 153.14 STRUCTURAL AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS.
   (A)   The wiring of all signs shall be contained and enclosed and shall conform to the provisions of the Electrical Code.
   (B)   Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, neat and attractive condition by its owner. The sign supports shall be kept painted/treated to prevent rust, deterioration, rotting or corrosion.
   (C)   No sign shall be erected, placed or mounted in such a manner as to interfere with any exit, fire escape or window in any building.
   (D)   If a sign is illuminated, the source of such illumination shall be kept in a state of working order at all times.
   (E)   All signs shall be designed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 80 mph and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the Building Code or other ordinances of the city.
   (F)   No signs or sign structure shall have any nails, tacks, wires or sharp metal edges protruding therefrom.
   (G)   Any glass forming a part of a sign shall be heavy safety glass and a minimum of one-fourth inch in thickness. Where any single piece or pane of glass has an area exceeding three square feet, it shall be wired glass.
   (H)   No sign shall be erected, placed or mounted in such a manner as to interfere with snow removal or utility maintenance.
   (I)   No sign shall be erected, placed or mounted closer than ten feet to any electrical service wire nor closer than five feet from any telephone or communication cable.
   (J)   All letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to or super-imposed upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
   (K)   Every marquee, freestanding, wall or projecting sign, including frame, braces and support thereof, shall be securely built, as may be required by the Building and Zoning Officer.
   (L)   All signs shall be mounted in one of the following manners:
      (1)   Flat against a building or wall;
      (2)   Back to back in pairs so that the backs of signs will be screened from public view; or
      (3)   Otherwise mounted so that the back of all signs or sign structures showing to the public view shall be painted and maintained a neutral color or a color that blends with surrounding environment.
   (M)   All signs shall be constructed to not hold water, snow or ice.
   (N)   When any sign is found to be hazardous to a person or property or if any sign shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained, in violation of the provisions of this code, the owner thereof or the person or firm maintaining the same, shall upon written notice of the Building and Zoning Officer forthwith in the case of immediate danger, and in any case, within not more than ten days, make such sign conform to the provisions of this chapter or remove it.
   (O)   All signs which remain after a business has ceased operation for a period of 31 days shall be removed within 30 days, or shall be considered to be abandoned signs.
(Prior Code, § 8-7-14) Penalty, see § 153.99