A. Signs on Private Property Presenting Health or Safety Hazards. No sign may be placed upon any privately owned property in a manner that creates a public health or safety hazard. Any sign placed on, above or adjacent to any street, sidewalk or right-of-way that creates a health or safety hazard through obstructing vision or use of such street, sidewalk or right-of-way may be summarily removed by the public safety, public works or community development directors or their respective designees. Any sign so removed shall be returned to the owner upon payment of the costs of removal and storage. Any sign placed on or about private property that creates a health or safety hazard, including obstructing vision in the public right-of-way, may be removed by the public safety, public works or community development directors or their respective designees to a position on the private property where it does not create a health or safety hazard.

B. Signs on Public Property. No sign may be placed in or upon any public right-of-way, the exterior of any public building, any public grounds or property thereon, any public utility pole or appurtenance thereof, wherever located, or any tree on public property. Any such sign may be summarily removed and impounded by the public safety, public works or community development directors or their respective designees.

C. Impounded Signs. Any sign impounded under the provisions of subsection A or B of this section shall be stored for a period of not less than thirty days at which time the signs may be salvaged, sold or destroyed in order to defray the costs of removal and storage. The person responsible for the placement of such sign shall be liable for the cost incurred in the removal and storage of the sign and the departments of public safety and public works are authorized to effect the collection of said cost.

D. Noticing Sign Owners. If the person who owns a sign that has been removed pursuant to this section can be identified, the city official who has removed said sign shall notify that person of the reasons the sign has been removed, the location of the sign and the procedures for the return of the sign. (Ord. 2023-05 § 3 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2020-07 § 2, 2020; Ord. 95-10 § 1, 1995; Zoning Ordinance dated 7/94, 1994)