§ 62-3318. Off-premises signs.

(a)

Off-premises signs.

(1)

Findings, intent and purpose. The construction, erection, location, and use of off-premises signs currently affects the aesthetics, public safety and public welfare of the people of the county, The construction and erection of further off-premises signs within the county will:

a.

Further degrade the aesthetic attractiveness of the natural and manmade attributes of the community, thereby undermining the economic value of tourism and the permanent economic growth that is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public welfare; and

b.

Have a further detrimental effect on traffic safety.

[(2)

Reserved. ]

[(3)

Reserved. ]

(4)

Enforcement and penalties. Each day an off-premises sign remains erected in violation of the ordinance shall constitute a separate violation and the sign owner or business responsible for erecting or constructing such sign is subject to a penalty of $500.00 per day until the sign is removed.

(5)

Board's power and right to legislate. This section shall not affect the board's powers and right to legislate or regulate an owner's obligation to maintain in good condition any off-premises sign already constructed and erected as of October 16, [2003,] removal of any off-premises sign from along any portion of a county, state, interstate highway system or the federal-aid primary highway system, or enforcement of this section. This section shall not affect the board's powers and right to enter into settlement agreements with sign owners allowing the installation of digital technology and the conversion of existing signs to digital billboards as part of a settlement of eminent domain proceedings.

(Code 1979, § 14-40(I); Ord. No. 99-49, § 2, 8-31-99; Ord. No. 03-47, § 8, 10-2-03; Ord. No. 2010-24, § 4, 11-23-10; Ord. No. 2011-34, § 12, 12-13-11)