Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 18.44 Abatement and Enforcement

Abatement and enforcement of this title shall be accomplished according to Chapter 1.12 SMC, General Penalty, and according to the regulations listed below. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Signs, except legal nonconforming signs as described above, which do not comply with the regulations of this title or a sign’s associated permit, shall be immediately and completely removed (including any structure and/or supports), or abated as determined by the planning director and/or the police department in accordance with the following paragraph.

A warning letter or citation shall be issued by the planning, public works, or police department to request compliance with this title, and shall give a specific time period for rectification. If compliance is not reached within the time period specified, or if the noncompliance or offense is repeated or continued, a citation from the police department shall be issued or other legal action may be taken by the city as described under SMC 18.44.020(B), Public Nuisance. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

A. Inspections. The planning director may, at any time, make such inspections as may be necessary or appropriate to ascertain whether a sign will comply or is complying with the purpose and intent of this title. An appeal of an adverse determination by the planning director may be made to the architectural review commission.

B. Public Nuisance. A violation of the provisions of this title is declared to be a public nuisance, and the city prosecutor or city attorney, on direction of the city council, may institute necessary legal proceedings for the abatement or enjoinment thereof in the manner provided by law and shall take such steps as may be necessary to accomplish those ends.

C. Unsafe, Unlawful Signs. Should any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein become unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, or should it be constructed, erected or maintained in violation of this title, or should the same no longer advertise a bona fide business conducted or a product or service sold on the premises, or which no longer serves its purpose, the planning director shall abate the sign as under SMC 18.44.010, Abatement, or legal action may be pursued by the city as under subsection (B) of this section. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; amended during June 2011 supplement; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Citations issued for violation of any portion of this title shall be according to Chapter 1.12 SMC, General Penalty. In addition, any person violating any of the provisions of this title may be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor at the discretion of the city attorney and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.12 SMC. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of this title is committed, continued or permitted by any such person, and he/she shall be punished accordingly. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).