The purpose of this article is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating the use of existing and proposed outdoor signs, signs visible from the outside and other advertising devices. This article is intended to enhance and protect the physical appearance and natural beauty of the community, protect property values and contribute to an attractive business climate by allowing sufficient freedom to identify and promote the availability of goods and services. It is further intended to promote and protect public safety by reducing sign and advertising distractions, obstructions and hazards that may contribute to traffic accidents or personal injury.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

A-frame means a temporary sign commonly referred to as a sandwich board, where the frame or support structure is hinged or connected at the top of the sign in such a manner that the sign is easily moved or erected.

Billboard means any off-premises sign exceeding 15 square feet in area.

Digital sign means an electronic sign display or device that changes message copy on the sign by means of light emitting diodes (LED), fiber optics light bulbs, liquid crystal display or other illumination devices within the display area. Signs using such display methods are commonly called by various names, including, CEVMS (commercial electronic variable message signs or changeable electronic variable message signs), electronic message boards, electronic reader boards, dynamic signs, digital signs, electronic signs, message centers and similar terms.

Directory sign means a sign which contains listings of two or more commercial establishments and which is designed and constructed so as to allow for changes to the listings to reflect changes in occupancy without major alterations of the entire sign. Each individual directory sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

Flag includes any banner adopted by a nation, state or city/town.

Flag/banner, decorative, means any flag or banner other than the U.S., state or municipal flag.

Lighting, direct, means internal illumination that shines through a plastic or other translucent covering.

Lighting, indirect, means lighting that is external to the sign.

Linear frontage means the length of the lot in feet that abuts a public road. For a corner lot, the linear frontage shall be measured along the public road that serves as the primary entrance to the establishment.

Shopping center means two or more retail or mixed use establishments contained within the same building and/or sharing a parking lot. Shopping centers include shopping malls.

Sign means any device, whether freestanding or attached to a building or structure, or that is erected, painted, represented or reproduced upon or in (to the extent provided in this chapter) any building or structure, which displays, reproduces or includes any letter, work, name, number, model, insignia, design, device or representation used for one or more of the following purposes:

(1)

To identify the premises or occupant or owner of the premises;

(2)

To advertise the sale or rental or use of all or part of any premises, including that upon which it is displayed;

(3)

To direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic other than state or municipal highway and roadway markers; and

(4)

Including any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia or any representation used to advertise or intended to advertise or promote the interest of any person or corporation.

Sign, freestanding, means a sign supported by a pole, uprights, braces or frame on or in the ground and not supported by any wall, building or similar structure. This definition includes ground-mounted signs.

Sign height means the vertical distance measured from the ground at the base of the sign of the highest point of any portion of the sign or supporting structure.

Sign, obsolete, means any sign which advertises an area, use, business or product no longer sold on site or service no longer offered.

Sign, off-premises, means any sign or advertising device, not exceeding 15 square feet, which advertises a use or activity not located or a product not sold or manufactured on the lot on which the sign or device is located.

Sign, projecting, means a sign erected so as to project approximately perpendicular from the exterior of any building, ceiling or wall.

Sign setback means the setback measured from the property line to the outermost edge of the sign or supporting structure, whichever is closer to the lot line.

Sign, wall-mounted, means a sign erected against or attached to the wall of any building or structure, except a freestanding sign support, including signs affixed to fences, screens and freestanding walls.

Storefront area means the area of the storefront measured from outside wall to outside wall and from top of the first floor joist to bottom of the second floor joist.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994; Ord. No. 02-20, § 5, 11-18-2002; Ord. No. 03-8, § 6, 6-9-2003; Ord. No. 15-11, § 1, 10-19-2015)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

The following signs shall be allowed in any zoning district without the necessity of obtaining a sign permit. Noncompliance with the terms of this section shall cause such a sign to forfeit its exempt status and require the owner to follow the permit procedure set forth in this article. Owners or lessees of such signs shall ensure that exempt signs conform to all other applicable regulations, and the owners and lessees shall be responsible for the safe and proper erection and maintenance of such signs:

(1)

One sign not to exceed two square feet when identifying a residence.

(2)

A memorial sign or tablet, or a sign not exceeding eight square feet indicating the name of a building or the date of its erection.

(3)

Signs identifying churches and places of worship or certified nonprofit organizations when located on the property thereof and not larger than 15 square feet.

(4)

Bulletin boards for public or religious institutions when located on the property thereof, provided that such signs do not exceed 15 square feet and bear no commercial advertising.

(5)

Pennants, spinners, streamers, banners and decorative flags when associated with events of religious, public or charitable organizations or new business openings for a period not to exceed ten days. Such advertising device may be located off premises provided it is erected and maintained in a safe and proper condition.

(6)

One sign customary and necessary in the offering of real estate for sale or to let by the owner or the owner's licensed broker or agent, which shall not exceed six square feet in residential zones or 20 square feet in nonresidential zones. Signs indicating the property has been sold must be removed within two weeks after the sale is closed.

(7)

Construction or contractor signs where there is only one per location identifying the project, the building and subcontractors, not exceeding nine square feet in area. Such a sign must be removed upon completion of the job.

(8)

Development/subdivision signs, one wall-mounted or freestanding sign, erected at the development/subdivision entrance from a major artery. The sign shall not exceed 15 square feet and may bear decorative or logo devices, but not commercial advertisement.

(9)

Signs erected by or on behalf of the United States of America, this state or the town pursuant to and in the discharge of any governmental function or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation.

(10)

Political and preelection signs shall be permitted in any zone provided, however, that any such sign shall not exceed the maximum permitted size for residential or commercial sign located in the applicable zoning district. No signs may be posted on trees, utility poles, traffic or regulating signs of any nature.

(11)

The following signs customary and necessary to the operation of filling and service stations:

a.

Lettering on buildings displayed over individual entrance doors consisting of the words "washing," "lubrication," "repairing" or words of similar import, provided that there shall not be more than one such sign over each entrance and that the letters shall not exceed ten inches in height.

b.

Lettering or other insignia which is a structural part of a gasoline pump or lighting fixture consisting only of a brand name, lead-warning sign and other signs as required by law.

c.

A credit card sign not exceeding two square feet in area, affixed to the building or a permanent sign structure.

d.

One sign bearing the brand or trade name of the station, of a design specified by the manufacturer, permanently affixed to the building or its own metal substructure, such sign not to exceed 30 square feet.

e.

All point of purchase materials or signs located no further than ten linear feet from the gasoline islands or ten linear feet from the physical structure.

(12)

Time/temperature clocks when bearing no commercial advertising and not exceeding 20 square feet of surface area.

(13)

Professional nameplate on the door or adjacent to the door, but not to exceed eight inches by 20 inches per occupant.

(14)

Integral decorative wall graphics or architectural features which are a part of the building insofar as no visible moving parts are included.

(15)

Holiday signs and decorations 60 days prior to and 15 days after the specific holiday. The term "holiday" means and includes all federal or state legal holidays and all recognized religious holidays.

(16)

Farm and home products for sale signs in residential zoning districts or properties used for residential purposes when up to six square feet in area, located on site, and which advertise the sale of farm, garden, nursery or home craft products grown, raised or produced on the premises.

(17)

Flags of all nations, states, counties, towns and cities when flown in compliance with the United States flag code.

(18)

Public transit shelter signs when located on one double-faced sign panel not exceeding an area of 48 inches by 69 inches per side, and when illuminated in compliance with this article.

(19)

Temporary signs as an interim use until such time as all sign permits can be secured, provided the signs do not violate any lettering or lighting methods prohibited by this article and the signs do not cover more than 60 percent of the total window space. A temporary sign for purposes of this subsection shall be defined as a sign not permanently adhered to or painted on any window and the sign is removed within 30 days.

(20)

Decorative flags or banners not exceeding 15 square feet.

(21)

All decorative flags in a residential district.

(22)

One directory sign per shopping center or office building. Directory sign alterations may be made without application, provided changes are in keeping with the directory design and graphics.

(23)

Neon signs not to exceed five square feet, except in residential districts or the Wickford Business District where such signs shall be prohibited.

(24)

Barber poles not to exceed three feet in height.

(25)

Any sign required by another section of this chapter.

(26)

The numerical street address provided the height of numbers does not exceed six inches and that the numbers are not internally illuminated.

(27)

One "open" or decorative flag per business not exceeding 15 square feet in area, provided such flags are not less than eight feet above a public sidewalk.

(28)

Temporary signs associated with advertising a farmers' market which are displayed only during market hours.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994; Ord. No. 01-1, § 12, 2-12-2001; Ord. No. 02-20, § 7, 11-18-2002; Ord. No. 08-19, § 3, 8-4-2008; Ord. No. 11-25, § 1, 12-5-2011)

The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district:

(1)

Signs which incorporate any flashing illumination or animation.

(2)

Any sign that constitutes a hazard to public safety or health; that creates a nuisance to abutting properties; or that impedes vision or access to or from public streets, sidewalks or other places or ingress or egress. This includes signs which, because of size, location, content or manner or illumination, obstruct the vision of a driver or detract from the effectiveness of traffic control devices.

(3)

Strings, balloons, streamers, flags, pennants, revolving or flashing lights, spinners or other similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building whether as a part of a sign or not, except for string lights and strung light bulbs that are part of decorations for recognized legal holidays.

(4)

Searchlights and inflatables.

(5)

Billboards.

(6)

Trailer (portable) and other mobile signs and message boards, whether registered or not, with or without wheels, unless permanently affixed to the premises or an integral part of an approved freestanding sign.

(7)

Signs affixed to utility poles and trees.

(8)

Signs placed in or over a sidewalk, street or other public right-of-way in any manner such as to impede or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, except projecting signs properly placed over a sidewalk in the Wickford Business District.

(9)

Any part of any sign, including all supports, braces, guys and anchors, that extends over the property line of the lot upon which it is located, except for A-frame signs which receive written permission from abutting landowner.

(10)

Obsolete or unsafe signs.

(11)

Any sign, as defined in this chapter, affixed to or part of, any vending machine or other mechanical device for the distribution of goods directly to a consumer without the intervention of any cashier or other employee outside or visible from outside the building is prohibited with the Wickford Village Center district.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994; Ord. No. 02-20, § 8, 11-18-2002; Ord. No. 03-8, § 7, 6-9-2003; Ord. No. 15-11, § 2, 10-19-2015)

(a)

Permit required. Any person intending to erect, relocate or alter any sign within the town shall, except as provided in this article, first obtain a sign permit from the office of the building official.

(b)

Application. Application for a sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the building official and shall contain or shall have attached all of the following information:

(1)

Submittal requirements are as follows:

a.

A site plan which shall include the position of all existing and/or proposed signs, indicating the distance and relationship to all existing, proposed and/or adjoining structures or premises.

b.

A scaled drawing of each face of all existing and/or proposed signs is required, including but not limited to the following:

1.

All size specifications, including the size of letters and graphics.

2.

Description of sign and frame materials and colors.

3.

Wall anchorage details. (Note: Anchorage must be interior to the sign or camouflaged).

4.

Foundation mounting assembly and/or footing details.

c.

An elevation drawn to scale of the entire wall of the building to which the sign is to be fixed, correctly locating the sign, and providing the width of the building or affected unit and the height of the first floor.

(2)

Names of persons performing the work.

(3)

Written consent of the owner and lessor of the premises.

(4)

The electrical permit, if any, when required by the state building code.

(5)

Description of illumination proposed for the signage and its location on the property or building if the proposed signage is indirectly illuminated.

(c)

Fees. Each application for signage shall be accompanied by a filing fee or such other fees as shall from time to time be established by the town council.

(d)

Review of applications. It shall be the duty of the building official, upon the receipt of a completed application for a sign permit, to forward such application for review and comment to those departments with the responsibility to do so and to examine such plans, specifications, other data, and if necessary visit the premises upon which the sign is to be located. If it shall appear that the proposed sign is in compliance with all requirements and other town ordinances, the building official shall approve the application and issue the permit.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)

Any person jointly or severally aggrieved by a decision of the building official or the historic district commission made pursuant to this article shall have the right to appeal concerning such decision to the zoning board of review. All such appeals shall be filed with the town clerk not later than seven days after the date of the decision of the building official or the historic zoning district. The zoning board of review shall conduct a de novo hearing on any such appeal of a decision of the building official in accordance with section 21-7. The board of review shall conduct a review of a decision of the historic district commission pursuant to section 21-338.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)

Any sign existing and in compliance with a prior sign ordinance on the effective date of the ordinance from which this article derives, but not in compliance with the terms of this article, shall be considered a legal nonconforming sign. The owner shall be permitted to maintain and/or repair such a sign, provided that:

(1)

The sign shall not be enlarged or structurally altered in any way unless it conforms with this article.

(2)

Any such sign that is destroyed or significantly damaged in excess of 35 percent of its total square footage shall be determined to be obsolete and shall only be rebuilt or replaced in conformity with this article.

(3)

Signs may be relocated provided such relocation occurs on the same property and all other provisions of the sign ordinance have been met. A sign to be relocated off site must comply with all requirements for a new sign.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)

(a)

Determination of sign area. Sign area shall be determined as follows:

(1)

The area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open space or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself.

(2)

Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols painted on or attached to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other convex shape which encompasses all the letters and symbols.

(b)

Maintenance. Signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:

(1)

All signs, including all supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and shall be kept clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards so as to not endanger the public health or safety. Such areas shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary and healthful condition.

(2)

The area to be maintained shall include both the physical sign structure, including all supports, and outside area within a radius of 20 feet of the base of a freestanding sign and an outside area within a 20-foot radius of the lowest center point beneath a wall-mounted sign, provided that these areas are contained within the legal boundaries of the property on which the sign is located.

(c)

Obsolete signs. Any sign which advertises an area, use, business or product no longer sold on site or a service no longer offered upon which the sign is located shall be considered to be obsolete and shall be removed within 30 days after the date that it becomes obsolete and shall be deemed a violation.

(d)

Unsafe signs. If the building official shall find that any sign is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public health or safety, such conditions shall be deemed a violation.

(e)

Repair and alteration. No sign, whether previously approved by the building official or considered a legal nonconforming use, shall be altered in any manner to include changes in graphics, lettering, color, brackets or posts without obtaining a sign permit as outlined in section 21-245.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)

(a)

Business and industrial districts. In the business and industrial districts, signs shall be in compliance with the following standards listed below. Properties located in the Post Road District (PRD), Wickford Village District (WVD), and the Historic District (HD) may have additional requirements by zoning and physical standards contained within this chapter.

(1)

Size and number when the minimum building setback is equal to or greater than 30 feet. When the building zoning setback or physical setback is equal to or greater than 30 feet from the property line, the size and number of signs shall not exceed the following:

a.

Freestanding signs. When multiple freestanding signs are allowed, such signs must be at least 150 feet apart. The number of signs per support is not limited. The aggregate square footage of all signs on each support may not exceed the following, based on total linear frontage:

1.

From zero to 100 feet, one freestanding sign is allowed, not to exceed 30 square feet.

2.

From greater than 100—200 feet, one freestanding sign is allowed, not to exceed 40 square feet.

3.

From greater than 200—300 feet, one freestanding sign is allowed, not to exceed 50 square feet.

4.

From greater than 300—400 feet, two freestanding supports are allowed, each shall not exceed 40 square feet.

5.

From greater than 400—500 feet, two freestanding supports are allowed, each shall not exceed 45 square feet.

6.

For greater than 500 feet or more, two freestanding supports are allowed, each of which shall not exceed 50 square feet.

b.

Wall-mounted, projecting or permanent glass signs. Wall-mounted, projecting or permanent glass signs may be used in any number or combination on the front of the building, provided that the signs do not exceed ten percent of the store front area. Side wall signs may be used in any combination that does not exceed ten square feet when the store side directly or indirectly abuts a parking lot or street. Wall-mounted and projecting signs shall not extend more than 12 inches from the wall.

c.

Digital/electronic signs. Digital or electronic signs shall be allowed subject to receiving a sign permit with the following requirements:

1.

Digital/electronic signage shall be allowed only on freestanding or groundmounted signs. No digital/electronic signage shall be wall mounted.

2.

Digital signs shall be allowed only in the following areas: commercial or business zoned properties with property frontage on Route 2, Route 102, Route 1, Route 4, Route 402, and Route 1A (excluding Wickford Village Business District).

3.

The digital/electronic sign shall be integral to the full sign.

4.

The digital/electronic portion of the sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

5.

The digital/electronic message of the sign cannot change more than once every 12 hours, unless the digital/electronic sign is a time and temperature sign.

6.

The sign shall be monochromatic with no flashing.

(2)

Size and number when the minimum building setback is less than 30 feet. When the building zoning setback or physical setback is less than 30 feet from the property line, property owners may at their discretion, and where physically possible, utilize either a projecting sign or front wall-mounted sign. The square footage requirements for either a wall-mounted or projecting sign will be the same as subsection (a)(1)(b) of this section. Side wall-mounted signs as described in subsection (a)(1)(b) of this section shall be allowed. However, if property owners at their discretion elect not to use either a projecting or front wall-mounted sign, the area allowed for side wall-mounted signs shall not exceed ten percent of the store front area. Lighting for buildings set back less than 30 feet shall be indirect only.

(3)

Shopping centers and office buildings. In shopping centers and office buildings, individual signs shall be coordinated as to location, color and design whenever possible.

(4)

Directory signs. Directory signage shall not exceed eight square feet.

(5)

Height requirements. Freestanding signs must be erected so that the lowest portion of the sign, not including the support, is higher than seven feet and the highest portion of the sign, including the support, is not above 15 feet. Ground-mounted signs shall not exceed five feet in height.

(6)

Setbacks. Setback requirements shall be as follows:

a.

Signs shall be set back from street rights-of-way in accordance with the terms of this section and shall be exempt from the setback and corner clearance requirements contained in Section 21-306.

b.

Any freestanding or ground-mounted sign that is to be located on a lot that abuts a residential zoning district shall be required to comply with the side yard and rear yard setbacks of that residential zoning district.

c.

Ground-mounted signs must be at least 15 feet from the property line and driveway.

(7)

A-frame signage.

a.

No more than one A-frame sign shall be allowed per business, per lot.

b.

Where multiple businesses are located on a single lot with frontage in excess of 50 feet, a maximum of one A-frame sign per 50 feet of frontage is allowed up to a maximum of four signs per property.

c.

A-frame signs that are to be located on a lot which abuts a residential zoning district shall be required to comply with the side yard and rear yard setbacks of that residential zoning district.

d.

A-frame signs shall be placed on the lot of record for that business and shall not be placed in public rights-of-ways.

e.

The sign panel on each side shall not exceed six square feet.

f.

A-frame signs shall only be allowed to be displayed during hours of business operation. Signs shall be removed and stored so that they are not visible when the business is closed.

g.

A-frame signs shall be properly secured and used in a manner so as to not cause harm to the public.

h.

A-frame signs shall not be permanently anchored, attached, or chained to a pole, utility pole, newspaper box, or other structures or appurtenances.

i.

A-frame signs shall not contain any electrical components nor have any moving parts.

j.

For businesses that do not have public road frontage, one A-frame sign may be allowed on an abutting property with written permission from the landowner subject to meeting all of the above criteria.

k.

A-frame signs shall not require permits except for those on public property. A-frames on public property must receive permission in writing from town administration.

(8)

Signage requirements for all properties in the Post Road District (PRD) shall follow this section as well as the sign design guidelines located in the Subdivisions and Land Development Regulations.

(b)

Residential district. In residential districts, signs shall be in compliance with the following:

(1)

No signs are allowed in residential districts except those that are exempt from this article according to section 21-243.

(2)

For business uses permitted by special exception in a residential district, one sign of up to 12 square feet shall be allowed.

(3)

Sign lighting shall be indirect, only, and shall be shielded such that the light is not directed toward and does not shine light upon adjacent properties.

(4)

Signs in residential districts shall comply with the setback requirements established in subsection (a)(6) of this section.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994; Ord. No. 03-8, § 8, 6-9-2003; Ord. No. 12-13, § 5, 10-22-2012; Ord. No. 15-11, § 3, 10-19-2015)

Businesses within the Wickford Village Business District, defined as those properties with frontage on West Main Street, Main Street, Brown Street, Boston Neck Road to Hussey Bridge, and Phillips Street, shall comply with the following sign regulations in order to help retain the historic charm of the area:

(1)

Signs shall be wall-mounted, projecting, or painted permanent glass only; freestanding or ground-mounted signs are only allowed by special exception from the zoning board of review in accordance with subsection 21-251(a)(6).

(2)

Except for painted permanent glass signs, signs shall be constructed of wood.

(3)

One wood sign or up to two permanent painted glass window signs shall be allowed per business. Additional signs may be permitted to face waterways, parking lots and other streets, as allowed in subsection 21-249(a)(1)b.

(4)

Signs shall be no larger than necessary so as to not detract from the charm and architecture of the building, and under no circumstances, shall they be larger than 15 square feet or five percent of the area of the first floor frontage of the building occupied, whichever is smaller. First floor frontage shall be determined by measuring the outside wall to outside wall and first floor joist to second floor joist. Subject to the limitation contained in the first sentence of this subsection, permanent painted window signs shall be no greater, in the aggregate, than ten percent of the total glass area of the first floor frontage of the building including the glass area of front store doors provided that the total square footage of signage shall not exceed 15 square feet.

(5)

Signage in multiple business buildings shall not exceed ten percent of the first floor frontage, and no one sign shall be larger than 15 square feet. Multiple business buildings shall also be allowed eight square feet of signage to be used only for a directory sign.

(6)

Lighting shall be indirect only.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994; Ord. No. 02-14, § 4, 10-7-2002; Ord. No. 03-8, § 9, 6-9-2003)

(a)

The following signs shall not be permitted without a special use permit in business districts and as may be granted by the zoning board of review:

(1)

Signs with any visible moving parts, except for signs commonly known as barber poles ordinarily and customarily used in connection with barbershops.

(2)

Off-premises signs not exceeding 15 square feet.

(3)

Signs using fluorescent, phosphorescent, neon or similar materials, except for one neon sign as provided for in section 21-243, and where those materials are used as a means for internal, enclosed illumination, provided no such sign shall incorporate any flashing, moving or changing illumination or animation.

(4)

Signs which project over the roofline or roof-mounted in accordance with the size requirements specified in subsection 21-249(a)(1)b.

(5)

One additional freestanding sign may be permitted by special use permit for a lot which has frontage on more than one public road. Such sign shall be limited in size in accordance with subsection 21-249(a)(1)a.

(6)

One freestanding sign in the Wickford Business District or for building setback less than 30 feet.

(7)

Murals.

(b)

In making decisions for special use permits under this section, the zoning board of review shall consider the following factors and characteristics:

(1)

Logic of design;

(2)

Exterior space utilization; relationship to architecture;

(3)

Quality, character and appropriateness;

(4)

Attractiveness;

(5)

Material selection; and

(6)

Harmony and capability, including coloration.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)

(a)

Violation and penalties. For every violation of this article or of any requirement attached to the granting of a special exception, the owner, lessor, lessee, occupant, sign erector or contractor interested in the premises upon which the violation has been committed who refuses to abate the violation within ten working days after written notice has been served by certified mail or civil process shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $100.00 per day, plus reasonable court costs. Each day of the existence of the violation shall be deemed a separate offense. Immediately upon notification of any violation, the town solicitor shall institute appropriate action to prevent, enjoin, abate or remove such violation. Any sign which is installed contrary to the requirements of this article or without a sign permit shall be a violation of this article. The building official may order the removal of any sign not maintained in accordance with this article or deemed to be unsafe or obsolete. Prior to ordering such removal, the building official shall notify the applicant in accordance with this subsection.

(b)

Enforcement. This article shall be administered and enforced by the building official.

(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994)