(A) Severability clause. Should any section or provision of this subchapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that decision shall not affect the validity of the subchapter as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid.
(B) Substitution clause. These regulations are not intended to regulate the message or content of non-commercial signs or temporary signs. A sign with a non-commercial message may substitute a sign with a commercial message, provided it meets all requirements of this code.
(C) Enforcement.
(1) Except as otherwise provided herein, these regulations shall be enforced by the Building Official(s) appointed or designated by the Mayor. It shall be a violation of these regulations for any person to erect, alter, move or improve any sign until an appropriate sign permit has been obtained under these regulations. Code enforcement officers, or other designated persons, may remove temporary signs that are in violation of these regulations, including but not limited to signs which have been improperly placed in the city right-of-way.
(2) If the Building Official or designee shall find that any sign is unsafe or insecure, is abandoned or maintained in a dilapidated condition or has been constructed or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of the regulations or any other ordinance of the city, the Building Official or designee shall give written notice of the violation or problem to the sign permittee or owner of the property on which the sign is located. The notice shall require removal of the sign and/or structure within seven days. If the permittee or owner fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards set forth in these regulations seven days from the receipt of said notice, the city may remove or alter such sign to comply with this municipal code. All expense incidental to such removal or alteration shall be charged to the owner of the property upon which the sign is or was located and shall constitute a lien upon the property.
(3) Except as otherwise provided, a violation of this chapter shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as set forth in § 10.99. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation of these regulations or the town municipal code.
(Ord. 2018-05-786, passed 5-1-18)