Los Angeles Municipal Code Ch. 10 Procedure for the Removal of Illegal Signs

Section 19.100 Definitions. 19.101 Illegal Signs – Nuisance. 19.102 Entry upon Vacant Private Property. 19.103 Interference Prohibited. 19.104 Notice of Illegal Signs. 19.105 Removal of Illegal Sign. 19.106 Collection of Costs.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms are defined.

Illegal sign shall mean any sign or sign structure installed, maintained or existing on vacant private property in violation of any law.

Owner shall mean the owner or owners of real property as shown on the last Equalized Assessment Roll of Los Angeles County.

Vacant Private Property shall mean any single lot or parcel of land described in the records of the County Recorder, held under Private ownership, which has not been improved by any lawfully erected permanent building or structure.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff. 12-1-73.

It is hereby found and determined that all illegal signs are a public nuisance to be abated as in this chapter provided.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff. 12-1-73.

Officers and employees of the City upon whom duties are imposed by this chapter may enter upon vacant private property for the purpose of

performing such duties.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff. 12-1-73.

No person shall impede or interfere with officers and employees of the City in the performance of any duties imposed by this chapter.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff. 12-1-73.

Whenever it is determined by the Department of Building and Safety that an illegal sign exists on vacant private property in the City, said department shall give written notice by registered or certified mail to the owner of such property. Said notice shall include the following:

(a) A statement of the determination that an illegal sign exists;

(b) A statement requiring the owner, within 10 days, to remove the sign or, in the alternative, appeal the determination to the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners;

(c) A statement that if the owner fails to remove the sign, or appeal to the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners as

hereinabove provided, said sign will be removed by City forces;

(d) A statement that if the sign is removed by City forces, the cost thereof will be assessed against the real property upon which the sign is located.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff. 12-1-73.

If within 10 days after notice has been given as provided in Section 19.104 the owner has not filed an appeal with the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners as hereinabove provided, the Department of Building and Safety shall inspect the property. If it is determined that the illegal sign has not been removed, said department shall notify the Department of Public Works which shall immediately enter upon the vacant private property in question and remove the illegal sign.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff 12-1-73.

Whenever an illegal sign is removed by the Department of Public Works, the costs incurred shall be a personal obligation against the owner of the property upon which the nuisance is located, recoverable by the City in an action before any court of competent jurisdiction. These costs shall include an amount equal to 40 percent of the cost to perform the actual work, but not less than the sum of $100.00, to cover the City’s costs for administering any contract and supervising the work required, unless the work is necessitated by an event or course of events that prompts the declaration of a local emergency by the Mayor. In addition to this personal obligation and all other remedies provided by law, the City may collect any judgment, fee, cost, or charge, including any permit fees, fines, late charges, or interest, incurred in relation to the provisions of this section as provided in Los Angeles Administrative Code Sections 7.35.1 through 7.35.8.

SECTION HISTORY

Added by Ord. No. 145,189, Eff. 12-1-73. Amended by: In Entirety, Ord. No. 175,596, Eff. 12-7-03.