§ 19-383. Abatement of illegal and abandoned signs

An inventory of illegal and abandoned signs may be undertaken by the code enforcement officer at any time. Every illegal or abandoned sign hereafter identified shall be deemed to constitute a public nuisance.

The code enforcement officer is authorized to abate all illegal or abandoned signs. Illegal signs posted in the public right-of-way or upon public property may be removed by the code enforcement officer or a town code enforcement officer. Said signs shall be retained at Town Hall for a period of not less than three (3) working days. Thereafter, any unclaimed signs may be discarded.

Should the town be required to remove any illegal or abandoned signs pursuant in the public right-of-way to this chapter, the reasonable cost of such removal shall be assessed against the owner of such sign. The cost of removal shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per sign.

Any violation of the provisions of the Town of Kure Beach Sign Ordinance shall subject the offender to a civil penalty in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00), which shall be due and payable within seventy-two (72) hours after the offender has been cited for violation of the ordinance. Each day's continuing violation shall be a separate and distinct offense. Failure to pay said civil penalty within the specified time shall constitute a misdemeanor. In addition, any civil penalty may be recovered by the town in a civil action in the nature of debt.

(Ord. of 3-15-11, # 11)