Section 15.44.291 Removal of illegal street graphics.

In addition to issuing a citation and proceeding to seek a fine for a violation of any provision of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to revoke any street graphic permit in accordance with the procedures established in the proceeding Section 15.44.290 of this code. Maintenance of a sign is unlawful if it is installed and maintained without first having obtained a sign permit for the sign in accordance with the requirements of Section 15.44.170 of this code or upon revocation of a permit issued under and pursuant of this code.

Signs installed on public property without a permit and permission of the governmental authority who holds and owns the property where the sign is installed are illegal signs and notwithstanding anything contained in this code to the contrary, may be summarily removed by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer without prior notice to the sign owner.

Except for illegal signs removed from property under the preceding paragraph of this section of this code, illegal signs shall be removed by the person who installed and maintains the same or the owner of the property where the sign is installed and maintained. Upon the failure of the responsible person or persons to remove the unlawful sign, the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer may cause the sign to be removed.

Notwithstanding the procedures established by Section 15.44.290 of this sign code, the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer may cause any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be repaired or removed summarily and without notice, at the expense of the permittee or the owner of the property on which it is located.

Any expenses incurred by the City for the repair or removal of a dangerous sign or the removal of an illegal sign, if not paid within thirty (30) days after the City has issued and delivered a statement therefor, shall be a lien upon the real property on which the sign was located. Notice of the lien may be filed by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer in the Office of the Record of Deeds of the county where the property on which the sign was located is situated. The lien may be foreclosed as in cases of foreclosure of real estate mortgages or mechanic's liens by the City instituting an action to foreclose the lien in the circuit court of the county where the real estate is located.

The City shall not be responsible for the condition or storage of signs removed as provided herein after giving the sign owner and/or the owner of the property on which the removed sign was located a twenty (20) day notice and opportunity to retrieve the sign.