305.14: ABATEMENT AND REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL SIGNS:

A. Authority to Abate. The City has the authority to abate illegal, abandoned signs and signs that pose a threat to health and life safety.

B. Illegal Signs in the Public Right-of-Way. Illegal signs posted in the public right-of-way or upon public property may be removed by Code Enforcement officer without notice or hearing. Signs shall be retained by the City for a period of not less than thirty (30) days if identifiable. Thereafter, any unclaimed signs may be discarded.

C. Recovery of Costs. When the City is required to remove illegal or abandoned signs in compliance with this chapter, the reasonable cost of the removal may be assessed against the owner of the sign(s).

• D. Sign Removal.

1. Any sign, including its supporting structure, which no longer identifies the current occupant or products currently sold, or which otherwise fails to serve its original purpose, or is not maintained in a safe, presentable, and good condition, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, and cleaning, shall be removed by the owner of the property within 30 calendar days after written notice to do so from the Building Division.

2. Any sign which the Building Division establishes as unsafe or unsecure shall be corrected or removed, together with all supporting structures, by the owner of the property upon which the sign is located within thirty (30) days after written notice by the Building Division.

3. Such notice shall state the location of the sign, the nature of the violation, and/or the manner in which the sign constitutes a public nuisance. The notice also shall require the removal or other abatement of the sign before the date specified in the notice. Further, the notice shall state that failure to comply may result in the removal of the sign by the City and that the cost of such removal may be imposed on the owner of the property. The notice shall also include instructions for the filing of an appeal of the determination of the Building Official that the sign is in violation of this chapter or constitutes a public

nuisance. Such notice shall be served by posting on the property on which the sign is located and by registered or certified mail delivery, postage prepaid to the owner of the property, and, if known, the owner of the sign.

4. After the periods specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, the Building Division may cause such sign to be removed, and the cost of such removal shall become a lien against the property.

5. If a hazardous condition exists, the condition shall be corrected forthwith upon notice by the Building Division. If an appeal is received prior to the date specified in the notice, abatement proceedings shall be suspended, and any deadlines shall be suspended, pending the outcome of such appeal. (Ord. 1918, 10-7-2025)