§ 28-56. Removal of signs by the administrator.

If upon inspection an administrator finds that a sign is abandoned or structurally, materially, or electrically defective, or in any way endangers the public, the administrator shall issue a written order to the owner of the sign and occupant of the premises stating the nature of the violation and requiring them to repair or remove the sign within thirty (30) days of the date of the order.

The administrator may cause the removal of an illegal sign in case of emergency, as well as signs placed on city owned property, or rights-of-way without notice. Signs removed in this manner must present a hazard to the public safety as defined in the local building or traffic codes. The administrator may also cause the removal of signs for failure to comply with the written orders or removal or repair; after removal or demolition of the sign, a notice shall be mailed to the sign owner stating the nature of the work, the date in which it was performed, and a demand of payment towards the costs as certified by the administrator.

Any sign that is found to be in violation of this code and was removed by the city is to be stored until claimed by the rightful owner or person who has the immediate right to possession of such sign, or until disposed of as hereinafter provided. A fee of three dollars ($3.00) per day shall be charged for such storage. Any such sign so impounded and stored shall be retained and held by the city who shall have a lien against such signs until all charges for removal, impoundment, and storage shall have been paid. All signs stored by the city which remain unclaimed for thirty (30) days by the owner or person who has the immediate right to possession thereof shall be subject to disposal.

If the amount specified in the notice is not paid within thirty (30) days of the notice, it shall become an assessment upon a lien against the property of the sign owner and will be certified as an assessment against the property together with a ten (10) percent penalty for collection, or the same manner as the real estate taxes.

The owner of the property upon which the sign is located shall be presumed to be the owner of all signs thereon unless facts to the contrary are brought to the attention of the administrator (e.g., in the case of a leased sign). For purposes of removal, the definition of sign shall include all sign embellishments and structures designed specifically to support the sign.

(Ord. No. 2017-O-044 , § 1, 10-3-17)