§ 4-126. Violations and enforcement.

(a)

Violations. It shall be a violation of this article and the zoning ordinance in general to do any of the following:

(1)

To erect, place or maintain a sign that does not conform with all of the applicable standards of this article;

(2)

To erect, place or maintain a sign that requires a permit without obtaining the required permit;

(3)

To erect, place or maintain a sign that requires a permit in any way inconsistent with the terms or conditions of the issued permit;

(4)

To fail to remove a temporary sign upon the expiration of the period allowed for the placement of the sign; or

(5)

To fail to maintain a sign in good condition in violation of the requirements of section 4-123(e).

(b)

Enforcement. The city may enforce this ordinance through any of the remedies available under Alabama law for the enforcement of a zoning ordinance, including but not limited to civil penalties, fines, jail sentences, and orders of abatement. Upon a determination of the building official or other person charged with the enforcement of the building codes that a sign is so dilapidated or otherwise damaged or in ill repair to the extent that it poses an imminent danger to the safety of any person or property in the city, the city may, after twenty-four (24) hours' actual notice to the sign owner or by posting on the premises, cause the repair or removal of such sign at the expense of the property owner.

(c)

Unlawful signs in right-of-way or on public property. Any sign erected in the public right-of-way or on public property in violation of this ordinance shall be deemed abandoned and may be removed by the city manager or the manager's designee without notice or compensation to the owner. Removal by a city official shall not affect the penalties applicable for the unlawful erection or placement of a sign in the public right-of-way or on public property.

(d)

Certain temporary signs. When the ownership of or responsibility for a temporary sign is not obvious, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that any person or entity whose address, phone number, website or other contact information is included on such sign is responsible for its installation or placement.

(Ord. No. 09-1123, 11-23-2009)