The purpose of these Sign Regulations is to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City; to lessen the hazards to pedestrians and vehicular traffic; to promote the economic viability of the business community while protecting the city and its citizens from a proliferation of signs that would adversely impact the aesthetics of the community and threaten the health, safety and welfare of the community; and to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these regulations.

The following definitions are applicable to this Article 9:

Attached Sign

1.

Attached Sign: Any sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to the face of, or erected and confined within the limits of, the outside wall of any building and supported by such wall or building unless otherwise defined in these regulations.

2.

Awning or Canopy Sign: A sign painted on, affixed to or attached to an awning or canopy.

3.

Banner: A temporary sign of light-weight fabric or vinyl or similar material mounted to a pole or a building. National, state and municipal flags or the official flag of any institution or business are not considered Banners. (See also "Temporary Sign", "Window Sign".)

4.

Canopy: A multisided overhead structure or architectural projection that is supported by attachments to a building and either cantilevered from such building or supported by columns at additional points, or supported by columns, but not attached to or enclosed by walls.

Electronic Changeable Copy Sign

5.

Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic: A sign designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be electronically changed or re-arranged. Electronic signage includes, but is not limited to, Light Emitting Diode (LED) and liquid crystal display (LCD) technology.

Manual Changeable Copy Sign

6.

Changeable Copy Sign, Manual: A sign designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be manually changed or re-arranged without permanently altering the sign.

7.

Commercial Message: Words, symbols, logos, pictures or any combination thereof, that identify or direct attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered for sale or a fee.

Double-faced signs: For the sign above left, copy area on only one face is counted. For the sign above right, copy area of both faces is counted.

8.

Double faced sign: A sign constructed to display its message on the outer surfaces of two opposing planes. When only one face may be viewed from any vantage point along the street, the area of one side (the larger, if applicable) is counted toward allowable sign area. If both faces may be viewed from the same vantage point, the area of both sides is counted.

9.

Erect: To build, construct, attach, hang, place, mount, suspend or affix, including the painting of attached signs upon the exterior of buildings or structures.

10.

Facade: All window and wall area of that building elevation facing a public street. Where a building contains multiple tenant spaces, each with individual entrances and wall/window area along the building facade, such as in a shopping center, the facade area for each use is calculated based on the width of each tenant space along the building front.

11.

Flashing sign: A sign, the illumination of which is not kept constant in intensity at all times when in use, and which exhibits marked changes in lighting effects, excluding Electronic Changeable Copy Signs.

12.

Freestanding sign: A sign supported by structures or supports placed on or anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.

13.

Illuminated sign: A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either by lights on or inside the sign face or directed toward the sign, including the following types of illumination:

a)

Indirect light: One reflecting light from a separate outside source aimed toward it, including silhouettes on a background or reflected light.

Signs using indirect light

b)

Direct light: One emitting light from a source within or affixed to the sign face and beaming outward from it.

Signs using direct light

14.

Incidental Sign: A non-commercial sign, other than an official sign, which is four sf in area or less and provides information or direction for the convenience and necessity of the public.

15.

Legible: Able to be read and/or understood from a public right-of-way or from adjacent property by a viewer with the eyesight required for receipt of an Alabama driver's license, including wearing any corrective lenses required by such license.

16.

Multi-tenant Center: A group of commercial or industrial establishments on one or more parcels of land having shared access and/or shared parking.

17.

Non-commercial message: Any wording or other displays other than a commercial message. Non-commercial messages are considered to be on-premises messages.

18.

Nonconforming sign: A sign that is not in conformance with the provisions of this Ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such sign lawfully existed prior to the effective date of this Ordinance or amendment thereto.

19.

Off-premise sign or message: A sign or message that, at any time, directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or activity conducted, sold, produced, manufactured, available or furnished at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

20.

On-Premise sign: A sign, whether permanent or temporary, other than an off-premise sign.

21.

Permanent sign: A sign structure which is, or was, originally designed, constructed, modified or intended to be permanently affixed to a building, structure, or to the ground.

22.

Portable sign: Any sign that is designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, such signs with wheels removed; with chassis or support constructed without wheels; converted to an A- or T- frame sign; attached temporarily to the ground, structure, or other signs; or mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes, parked and visible from the public right-of-way, except signs identifying the related business when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operations of that business.

Projecting Sign

23.

Projecting sign: Any attached sign permanently affixed at more or less a right angle to the building facade to which it is attached.

24.

Official sign: Any sign, illuminated or not, erected on public property and maintained by the City, State or Federal Government for dissemination of general information and matters of public interest.

25.

Residential Identification Sign: A permanent sign located at a principal entrance to a residential subdivision or multifamily development giving the name of the subdivision or development

Roof Signs

26.

Roof Sign: A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or that is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects above the highest point of a building with a flat roof or the eave line of a building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof; or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.

27.

Sign: A name, identification, image, description, display or illustration on a building, structure or piece of land, which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, facility, service, event, attraction, person, institution, organization or business and which is legible from any street, right-of-way, sidewalk, alley, park or other public property, together with any and all structural supports and ornamental attachments.

28.

Sign Face: The entire area of the surface used for the display of a sign message as seen from only one direction.

Sign Height (from grade level)

29.

Sign Height: The vertical distance measured from the adjacent street, grade level at the sign or upper surface of the nearest curb other than an elevated roadway, whichever permits the greatest height, to the highest point of the sign.

30.

Snipe Sign: A sign made of any material when tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise temporarily attached, or attached without the permission of the property owner, to: trees, poles, stakes, rocks, fences or other object visible from the public right-of-way; trees, light or utility poles, park benches, bus shelters, waste receptacles, street markers, traffic control devices, guard rails, or similar objects located on public property or right-of-way. Historical markers and official signs identifying a natural feature are not considered Snipe Signs.

31.

Spacing of Signs: The distance between signs as measured along the nearest edge of pavement of the street to which said signs are directed.

32.

Temporary Sign: Any sign, other than a Portable Sign or a sign affixed to a vehicle, not designed, constructed or intended to be permanently affixed to any building, structure or the ground.

33.

Unlawful Sign: A sign erected after the effective date of these regulations, or amendment thereof, that is not in conformance with these regulations; a sign that the Building Official declares to be a danger to public safety by reason of dilapidation or abandonment; or a nonconforming sign for which a permit required under any previous regulations was not obtained.

34.

Window Sign: Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof placed inside a window or upon the window pane, door or glass and is visible from the exterior of the building. A sign hung inside a window is considered a Window Sign though it may otherwise be similar in design and material to a Banner. Displays of merchandise, objects or material without lettering placed behind a store window are not considered signs or parts of signs.

1.

General Standards. The following standards apply in all zoning districts:

a)

Except as provided in §9.4.4 Signs Subject to Other Standards, no sign or portion of a sign may be located closer than two ft to a public right-of-way except as otherwise provided for Projecting Signs in §9.06.2.c. No sign may interfere in any way with motorist visibility at the intersection of a street with another street, alley or driveway. See §3.09 Intersection Visibility.

b)

A commercial message on a lawful sign may be substituted with a non-commercial message.

c)

No illuminated sign, other than a permanent Residential Identification Sign, is permitted within 50 ft of any residential district.

d)

No sign may occupy any portion of a required parking space or aisle.

e)

All signs must conform to the City building code, if applicable.

f)

The area around all signs must be kept clean and free of trash and of vegetation that is not part of the landscaping associated with the sign. All signs and all components thereof, including structural supports, must be kept in a state of good repair. The sign owner/lessor or property owner must maintain all signs in a safe and proper operating manner at all times. Any sign that exhibits one or more of the following conditions is considered in violation of this Ordinance subject to remedies in §9.10 Unlawful Signs:

1)

Peeling or flaking paint or surface material on the sign face

2)

Missing portions of the message, display or of the sign face

3)

The sign face is cracked, damaged, or faded such that the message or display is not legible

4)

The message or display is incomplete or illegible due to electronic or lighting failure or for any other reason.

g)

Nothing in this ordinance prohibits or limits the outdoor display of products where such displays are otherwise lawful. This ordinance, however, applies to any sign, banner, or other attention-attracting device affixed to a product displayed outdoors and that is directed toward and legible from public view.

h)

No person may, for the purpose of improving the visibility of any sign, damage, trim, destroy or remove any landscaping required by this Ordinance or trees or other vegetation within any right-of-way (unless express written authorization is obtained from the agency having jurisdiction over the right-of-way).

2.

Prohibited Signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign not expressly authorized by, or exempted from, these regulations. The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:

a)

Any sign that may obstruct, impair, obscure or interfere with the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device or interfere with, mislead, confuse or disrupt traffic flow or traffic safety

b)

Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or steam

c)

Signs or sign structures that interfere with free use of any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipes, or that obstruct any window to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any applicable regulation

d)

Flashing signs

e)

Any sign or support thereof placed in or that interferes with, a public street right-of-way except as otherwise permitted under §9.04.4 Signs Subject to Other Standards

f)

Snipe signs

g)

Portable signs

Measuring Copy Area (Freestanding Signs)

3.

Measuring Copy Area

a)

The copy area of freestanding and projecting signs is measured as the area within a single rectangle that encompasses the extreme limits of the sign face, including all advertising surfaces, background, framing and ornamentation, but excluding structural frames and members not forming an integral part of the display. For double-faced signs, the area of each face is counted. Otherwise, the area of only one face, the larger (if applicable), is counted.

Measuring Copy Area (Attached Sign)

b)

The copy area of all other signs is measured as the area within a single rectangle that encompasses all letters, words, symbols or other graphic elements, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed.

1.

Actions Not Requiring a Permit. The following actions related to signs are exempt from permit requirements of this Ordinance but are subject to all other standards of this Ordinance.

a)

Routine sign maintenance, including painting, repainting, cleaning and repair not involving structural changes. This does not include painting or repainting of the entire sign face

b)

The changing of copy on Changeable Copy Signs provided there are no structural changes or change in the primary light source

c)

Installation of signs permitted in all districts (§9.04.2); signs exempt from these regulations (§9.04.3); and signs subject to other standards (§9.04.4)

d)

Installation and changing of window signs.

2.

Signs Permitted in All Districts. The following signs are exempt from sign permit requirements and are not to be included in determination of the allowable number, type or area of a sign that requires a sign permit. Such signs, however, are subject to the requirements herein specified and the City Building Code, where applicable.

a)

Address Sign, not exceeding three sf in area and bearing the E-911 address of the premises. Occupant name may be included but no other message may otherwise be included.

b)

Temporary Signs, in accordance with the requirements in §9.05 and §9.06.

c)

Incidental Signs, whether freestanding or attached, less than four sf in area and less than four ft in height.

d)

Memorial Signs. Signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building, provided that no such sign may exceed six sf in area and may not be separately illuminated.

e)

Non-commercial Flags. Flags, banners or insignias of a governmental, religious, charitable or fraternal organization that include no commercial message, subject to established City policy and protocols of the applicable government or non-government organization. No premises may contain more than four such flags.

f)

Non-commercial Signs. In addition to any other permanent or temporary signage otherwise provided for in this Article, each occupied lot is permitted an aggregate sign area of 15 sf for non-commercial speech, which may not be illuminated, may not exceed six and one-half sf in area per sign and may not exceed five ft in height. However, when 15 sf or more of the sign area available to a premises for commercial messages is substituted with one or more non-commercial messages in accordance with §9.03.1.c, no additional non-commercial signage is permitted.

3.

Signs Exempt from these Regulations. The following signs are exempt from permit requirements and the provisions of this Article, except as provided herein. However, all such signs must comply with the City Building Code and all other applicable regulations:

a)

Any sign, other than a window sign, located inside a building, structure or enclosed space and not legible from the public right-of-way or from another private or public property

b)

Any sign with less than four sf in area and less than four ft in height (if freestanding), that is not separately lighted and that is not legible from the public right-of-way or from another private or public property

c)

Official signs

d)

Stadium signs, including scoreboards and incidental advertising signs intended to be viewed only from within a stadium

e)

Decorations containing no commercial message

f)

Signs affixed to vehicles

g)

Signs authorized by the City for public events

4.

Signs Subject to Other Standards. The following signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this Ordinance; but, to the extent allowed by law, are subject to the other standards of this Ordinance. Where a sign is erected pursuant to a statute or a court order, the sign may exceed or otherwise deviate from the standards set forth in this Ordinance to the extent that the statute or court order expressly requires the larger size or other deviation. In all other respects, such signs must conform to the standards of this ordinance.

a)

Signs conforming to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and bearing no commercial message

b)

Official signs

c)

Signs required by a state or federal statute or by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction

d)

Signs installed by public utilities in their rights-of-way or on their facilities and bearing no commercial message other than such messages necessary to identify the use

e)

Signs installed by a transit company with a franchise or other right to operate in the City, where such signs are installed along its routes and relate to schedules or other information about the transit route.

Signs are permitted in the AG-1, E-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, GH and TH Districts subject to the following provisions.

1.

The following signs are allowed for each residential premises:

a)

One address sign, per §9.04.2 Signs Permitted in All Districts. Such sign may not be directly illuminated.

b)

Each occupied lot is permitted up to two temporary signs at one time that contain a commercial message, which may not be illuminated, may not exceed four ft in height and may not exceed an aggregate copy area of six and one-half sf. Commercial messages may only refer to commercial activity lawfully and/or temporarily conducted on the premises, including Bed and Breakfasts; Boarding Houses; the lawful, occasional sale of personal property (such as through a garage sale or a yard sale); or the sale, rental or lease of the premises. Temporary signs related to the sale of personal property must be removed within 24 hours after the end of the sale.

2.

Residential Identification Signs. The following are permitted for each residential development:

a)

Permanent Residential Identification Signs are permitted in accordance with the following:

1)

Residential Identification Signs must be located on private property, whether commonly or individually owned, and may bear no commercial message.

2)

Residential Identification Signs may be indirectly lit but may not otherwise be illuminated.

3)

One Residential Identification Sign is permitted at each principal entrance to a residential development as follows:

(i)

For single-family residential developments, the sign may not exceed 48 sf of copy area. For multifamily developments, the sign may not exceed 12 sf of copy area for each 50 dwelling units, or 48 sf, whichever is less.

(ii)

If there are walls on both sides of the entrance, then one attached sign per side is permitted in lieu of a freestanding sign, with the aggregate area not exceeding the allowable copy area established in Item i above.

A "principal entrance" is considered to be that place where property included within the development abuts and has vehicular access to an external public street. For the purposes of this Subsection, a development of 50 or fewer dwelling units is considered to have only one principal entrance.

b)

Temporary Residential Identification Signs. As a temporary use accessory to residential development, one temporary residential identification sign is permitted at each principal entrance, as described in Paragraph 1 above, in accordance with the following:

1)

There may in no case be more than one such sign for a subdivision or development with 50 or fewer lots included in the subdivision or development and no more than two such signs for any other subdivision or development.

2)

Such sign may not be illuminated and may not exceed 32 sf in area;

3)

Such sign must be removed upon the installation of a permanent Residential Identification Sign.

3.

Signs for any nonresidential uses permitted in Agricultural and Residential Districts, such as schools and places of worship, may not exceed in number, height or area that which is allowed in the NSC District (see §9.06).

Permanent signs are permitted in nonresidential districts in accordance with Table 9-1 and the following:

Maximum Projection of Projecting Sign

1.

Freestanding Signs. Nonresidential uses are permitted freestanding signage as provided in Table 9-1. The following standards apply to all freestanding signs, except where otherwise specified:

a)

Freestanding signs may be illuminated or not and may include manual or electronic changeable copy, subject to §9.06.4 Electronic Changeable Copy Signs.

b)

Freestanding signs may be no closer than 15 ft to the edge of pavement of any street and no closer than 50 ft from a sign on an abutting property.

c)

Freestanding signs within a Multi-tenant Center must be consistent in design, materials, and colors.

d)

Allowable sign height is based on the classification of the street along which it is located as provided in Table 9-1. Different height limits may apply on corner lots when the abutting streets are classified differently.

e)

Signs on properties located within 1,000 ft of the nearest right-of-way line of Interstate 20 may exceed the height limits in Table 9-1 but may not exceed a height of 100 ft.

2.

Attached Signs. Each establishment is allowed permanent signage on each facade. Nonresidential uses, including those in Multi-tenant Centers, are allowed attached signage as provided in Table 9-1 subject to the following:

a)

Attached signs, except where specifically prohibited herein, may be directly or indirectly illuminated.

b)

Attached Signs may not extend out from the face of the building more than 12 inches. Attached Signs may include manual or electronic changeable copy, subject to §9.06.4 Electronic Changeable Copy Signs.

c)

Projecting signs may not project outward more than 36 inches from the building face and must have a minimum clearance of 10 ft from the surface below to the lowest point on the sign. Projecting signs may not extend into a public right-of-way more than eight inches without express approval from the Building Official.

d)

Awning and Canopy Signs.

1)

Awning and Canopy signs may extend no closer than two ft horizontally to the curb line of any public street nor less than 10 ft vertically from the finished surface directly below.

2)

Copy area may not exceed 25% of the surface area of the canopy or awning, which surface area is not counted toward allowable sign area.

3.

Window signs are permitted, provided they do not collectively cover more than 20% of the window glass area.

4.

Electronic Changeable Copy Signs are permitted subject to the following standards:

a)

Electronic or digital display units must have installed ambient light monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the message based on ambient light conditions. Maximum brightness levels may not exceed 7,000 nits during daylight hours and 2,500 nits during nighttime hours.

b)

Any sign using technology which malfunctions, fails, or ceases to operate in its usual or normal programmed manner causing therein motion, movement, flashing or any other similar effects, must be repaired or disconnected within 24 hours of notice from the City.

c)

The message area may not exceed the permitted copy area for the applicable sign type in the district, or 200 sf, whichever is less.

d)

Electronic changeable copy signs must observe the following minimum setbacks from residential districts:

1)

100 ft if changeable copy area up to 20 sf

2)

200 ft if changeable copy area of 21—100 sf

3)

500 ft if changeable copy area greater than 100 sf

5.

Temporary Signs. Temporary signs are permitted as follows:

a)

Temporary Signs may be attached or freestanding but are prohibited in a public right-of-way.

b)

No temporary sign may include an off-premise message.

c)

For any premises which is occupied or for which a building permit has been issued, and for which a permanent sign has not been installed, one temporary sign is allowed from the date of occupancy or the date of issuance of the building permit, whichever comes first, until the date of installation of the permanent sign. The temporary sign may not exceed the size allowed for the permanent sign, and, if freestanding, may not exceed eight ft in height.

6.

Sign Regulations for Highway Drive (McCullars Lane to Park Place)

a)

Free standing signs will not be allowed on Highway Drive from McCullars Lane to Park Place.

b)

Signs will be allowed to be attached to the building or roof (to be no higher than the roof line of the building) and may not exceed 20 percent of the façade.

c)

Signs may only be illuminated on the interior of the sign.

d)

Nonconforming signs must comply within 5 years using the amortization schedule in Table 9-1.

(Ord. No. 2019-01, § 1, 1-8-2019)

Off-premise Signs may be permitted only in the ASC, GB, M-1 and M-2 Districts upon review and approval by the Commission and in accordance with the following provisions and those in Table 9-2:

1.

No off-premise sign may be erected within 500 ft of any residential district or dwelling.

2.

Upon express approval of the Commission, Off-Premise Signs may include an Electronic Changeable Copy element but may not otherwise be directly illuminated. For indirect illumination the beam of light may only be directed toward the sign face.

3.

Digital Off-Premise Signs, Replacement of Off-Premise Signs: Digital off-premise signs may only be permitted to replace existing off-premise signs, whether conforming or not, at a ratio of one digital off-premise sign for every three existing signs removed. The existing signs must be removed prior to installation of the digital off-premise sign.

(Ord. No. 2018-01, § 1, 1-9-2018; Ord. No. 2018-15, § 1, 11-13-2018)

1.

Permits Required

a)

Except where explicitly exempted in §9.04 Exemptions, all signs erected or altered require a sign permit issued by the Building Official.

b)

Whether a sign is exempt or not, an electrical permit is required for all illuminated signs.

c)

Any off-premise signs to be located within 660 ft of the right-of-way of an Interstate Highway or Federal-Aid Primary Highway System require a permit from the ALDOT.

2.

Application for Permit. Application must be made to the Building Official, together with a permit fee, and accompanied by such information as needed to assure compliance with this Article and all other applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to:

a)

Scaled, clear and legible drawings with description showing the exact location of the proposed sign and any existing signs on the site.

b)

Drawings showing the sign specifications including dimensions, construction supports, size, electrical wiring, and component materials of the sign and method of attachment.

3.

Denial of Permit. When a permit is denied by the Building Official, written notice is provided to the applicant with reason for the denial. Appeal may be taken to the Board of Adjustment upon denial of a sign permit, subject to all procedures outlined in Article 12 Board of Adjustment. Application for the appeal must be submitted within 30 calendar days after denial of the sign permit, after which time the applicant/owner is deemed to have waived the right of appeal.

4.

Inspection of Signs. The person erecting, altering, relocating, enlarging or converting any sign must notify the Building Official upon completion of the work for which permits are required and issued. (See §9.04 Exemptions.) Freestanding signs may be subject to a footing inspection, and all illuminated signs are subject to electrical inspection.

All signs constructed or altered after adoption of this Ordinance must conform in all respects to the requirements and provisions contained herein. It is the intent of this Ordinance to allow lawfully nonconforming signs to remain until they are removed, discontinued or altered, but not to encourage their survival, subject to the following:

1.

Nonconforming On-Premise Signs. Nonconforming on-premise signs that are structurally altered must, upon completion of the alteration, conform in all respects to the provisions of this Ordinance. If a structural alteration is necessary for maintenance (§9.03.1 General Standards), the sign must be made to conform to the dimensional limitations of this Article.

2.

Portable Signs. Portable Signs must be removed within two years of the effective date of this Ordinance.

3.

Restoration After Damages. A nonconforming sign that is damaged by fire, wind, or other causes, to the extent that repair of the sign requires structural alteration, must, upon completion of the alteration, conform in all respects to the provisions of this Ordinance.

1.

Confiscation of Signs Located in Public Right-of-Way. Any sign placed in public right-of-way, except in conformance with this Ordinance, is forfeited and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies provided for in this Article, the City has the right to recover from the owner or person placing the sign the full costs of removal and disposal.

2.

Abandoned Signs. Except as otherwise provided for in this Article, any sign located on property which becomes unoccupied for one year or more; or any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business, entity, event, location, product or service for one year or more, is deemed abandoned and must be altered or removed to conform to this Ordinance. An abandoned sign is prohibited and must be removed. Removal, if by the City will be at the expense of the property owner and/or sign owner.

3.

Notification. Notices from the Building Official are sent by certified mail. Any time periods provided in this Section commence on the date of the receipt of the certified mail. The notice will be mailed to the property owner as shown on the latest available tax maps, and the occupant which the sign serves. Any person having an interest in the sign or the property may appeal the decision of the Building Official by filing a written notice of appeal with the ZBA within 30 calendar days of receipt of the notice.

4.

Removal and/or Repair of Signs by the City. Any sign erected without an applicable permit or that has deteriorated and, in the opinion of the Building Official, needs to be repainted, refinished or reworked in order to restore it to a safe and lawful condition, are considered in violation of this Ordinance.

a)

The Building Official may cause to be removed any sign erected without a permit or any sign which becomes a safety hazard or which is not kept in a good condition and state of repair, as specified in §9.03.1 General Standards. A written notice will be made to the owner of the premises and/or the sign owner describing the violation. Any repair, painting, alteration, relocation or removal will be at the sign owner or property owner's expense. If corrections or repairs have not been made within 60 calendar days of receipt of the notice, the sign will be declared a nuisance and may be removed or otherwise abated by the Building Official.

b)

Any sign which, in the opinion of the Building Official, constitutes an immediate or imminent danger to life or property may be caused to be removed or put in a safe condition immediately.

Any costs incurred by the City for removal/repair of the sign will be charged to the owner of the premises, and that portion that remains unpaid will constitute a lien against the property.