Ukiah Municipal Code Art. 5 Removal and Disposition of Signs; Abandoned Signs

Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural material condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. If the sign is not made to comply with the requirements of this Section, the Building Inspector may require its removal.

(Ord. 756, § 2, adopted 1981; amd. by Ord. 822, § 1, adopted 1983; Ord. 1255, § 3, adopted 2025. Formerly 3228)

A. Except as otherwise provided, any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of sixty (60) days or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. The Building Official shall prepare a notice which will describe the sign and specify the violation involved and which shall state that if the sign is not removed or the violation is not corrected within ten (10) days, said sign shall be removed by the Building Inspector in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance. All notices sent by the Building Official shall be sent by certified mail. Any time periods provided in this Section shall be deemed to commence on the day of the receipt of the certified mail.

Any person having an interest in the sign or the property may appeal the determination of the Building Official ordering removal of compliance by filing a written notice of appeal with the Planning Commission within thirty (30) days after the date of mailing the notice, or thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice if the notice was not mailed. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change of ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed abandoned, unless the property remains vacant for a period of four (4) months or more.

B. When it is determined by the Building Official that said sign shall cause imminent danger to the public safety, and contact cannot be made with a sign owner or building owner, no written notice shall have to be served. In this emergency situation, the Building Inspector may correct the danger. The Building Official shall cause to have removed any sign that endangers the public safety, such as an abandoned, materially dangerous, electrically or structurally defective sign, or a sign for which no permit has been issued according to the provisions of this ordinance. Any sign removed by the Building Official pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall become the property of this City and may be disposed of in any manner deemed appropriate by the City. The cost of removal of sign by the City shall be considered a debt owed to the City by the owner of the sign and the owner of the property and may be recovered in an appropriate court action by the City or by assessment against the property as hereinafter provided. The cost of removal shall include any and all incidental expenses incurred by the City in connection with the sign's removal.

C. A sign owner or building owner who does not remove an abandoned sign or otherwise correct a violation under this Section within the time frame for notice and, if applicable, appeal, may be subject to fines pursuant to Section 3238 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 756, § 2, adopted 1981; amd. by Ord. 822, § 1, adopted 1983; Ord. 1255, § 3, adopted 2025. Formerly 3229)

When it is determined by the Building Official that a sign has been damaged beyond fifty percent (50%) of its initial capital investment value, or when the face of a sign requires alteration or change, such sign must then be made to conform to all provisions within this ordinance.

(Ord. 756, § 2, adopted 1981; amd. by Ord. 822, § 1, adopted 1983; Ord. 1255, § 3, adopted 2025. Formerly 3230)