(a) Construction and Fastenings. Signs must be construed of durable material and in conformance with the requirements and specifications of the current Michigan Building Code. All signs must be erected in such a manner and with such materials to remain safe and secure during the period of use and all bolts, cables, and other parts of such signs must be kept painted and free from corrosion. Any defect due to the fault of the erector must be repaired by the owner.
(b) Maintenance. All signs and their components, including anchors, braces, and supports must be maintained in a condition of good repair. The Building Official is authorized to cause the removal of any sign, at the expense of the owner, that is deemed to be in disrepair or an immediate peril to persons or property. This does not alter the effect of Section 1222.13
: Non-Conforming Signs, which prohibits the replacement of non-conforming signs.
(1) If a sign is found to be insecure, illegible, fading, in a state of disrepair, or the message portion of the sign is removed leaving only the support structures, written notice will be given to the property owner, agent or person having interest in the building or property on which the sign is located.
(2) Improvements, corrections, or removal of the sign must be completed within thirty-days of receipt of the written notice.
(3) If such condition is not corrected within the time allotted, the Building Official is authorized to cause the sign to be removed at the expense of the property owner, agent or person having interest in the building or property.
(c) Abandoned Signs. Signs which have not been in use for a period of more than six-months, including all previously approved variances for such signs, are considered abandoned signs. Abandoned signs must have all lettering or reference to the former business removed. Custom signs, which are only relevant to the defunct business that it served, must be removed completely from the site.
(d) Removal. Any sign now or hereafter existing which, at the time of construction, advertised a business being conducted or a product being sold or produced on the premises on which the sign is located, but no longer does so, must be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises upon which such sign is found within thirty-days after written notice to remove such sign from the Building Official.
(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)