(A) Violation. In addition to any and all remedies allowed under the laws of the state and this chapter, a violation of any requirement of this chapter shall also be subject to the penalties as outlined in § 155.999.
(B) Unlawful signs.
(1) Whenever it shall be determined by the Planning Official that any sign or sign structure has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the terms of Chapter 155 or has been abandoned, said sign or sign structure is hereby declared to be unlawful.
(2) Any sign or sign structure found to be unlawful shall be made to conform to all applicable laws and regulations or shall be removed at the expense of the sign owner or landowner (if the sign owner is unknown and reasonable efforts have been made to locate the sign owner with no success).
(C) Removal of signs.
(1) The Board of Commissioners may cause to be removed any unlawful sign or sign structure. The city shall prepare a written notice which shall describe the sign and specify the violation involved and shall state that if the sign is not removed or the violation or condition is not corrected within 30 calendar days from the date of the notice, the sign shall be removed in accordance with the provision of this chapter at the expense to the sign owner or landowner (if the sign owner is unknown and reasonable efforts have been made to locate the sign owner with no success).
(2) Service of the notice shall be made upon the sign owner and landowner by mailing a copy of such notice by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested. If service is made upon the landowner, service shall be to the landowner at his or her address as it appears on the last equalized assessment role of the county.
(3) Any person receiving notice may challenge the determination of the Planning Official by filing a written notice to the city within 14 days. Upon the decision of the Board of Commissioners, the person(s) receiving the initial notice will have 14 days to file a written notice of appeal to the Board of Adjustments. Failure by any person to appeal the notice within that time period shall constitute a waiver of right to an administrative hearing.
(4) The sign owner or landowner, if the sign owner is unknown, shall have 90 days to remove advertisements for establishments that are no longer in business.
(Ord. #10, passed 5-17-2007) Penalty, see § 10.99