(A) General. The provisions of this division describe a variety of unlawful signs. Upon determination that a sign is unlawful, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to take any action allowed by this zoning ordinance, the building ordinance and state law to enforce the provisions of this article, including requiring the sign's removal. For purposes of these provisions, sign removal means removing the entire sign and, in the case of freestanding signs, removing all supporting structures or elements.
(B) Revocation of sign permit. Any sign for which a sign permit has been revoked is unlawful.
(C) Signs installed without permit. Any sign installed without required permits, including those that may be required by this zoning ordinance or the building code is unlawful.
(D) Signs constructed in violation. Any sign installed in violation of county regulations, including this zoning ordinance or the building code, is unlawful.
(E) Signs in right-of-way. Except as otherwise expressly allowed, any sign installed or placed on public property or within public rights-of-way will be forfeited to the public and are subject to confiscation.
(F) Obsolete or abandoned signs.
(1) Any sign that advertises a business no longer conducted on the premises will be considered abandoned and must be removed by the owner within 30 days of written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Any advertising sign that has not been used to display a message for a period of one year or more will be considered abandoned and must be removed at the sign owner's expense within 30 days of written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
(3) In all cases, the sign structure must be kept in good repair at all times, with adequate painting and secure structure. If the provisions of this division (F) are not met, all portions of the sign and support structures must be brought into compliance or removed.
(G) Sign maintenance. All signs (including nonconforming signs) must be maintained in safe, presentable, and good structural material condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other acts required for sound maintenance and appearance of the sign. Any sign that is deemed by the county to be in violation of these maintenance provisions or other applicable regulations of this ordinance may be ordered to be removed by the property owner after notice has been given by the Zoning Administrator.
(H) Responsibility for removal. When removal of a sign is required, both the owner of the property on which the sign is located and the owner of the sign, if different, are jointly and severally responsible for removal.
(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)