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2004 SESSION

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HB 679 Billboards or advertising signs; removal of those that are abandoned.

Introduced by: Melanie L. Rapp | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Removal of nonconforming abandoned signs. Provides that any locality may, by ordinance, require certain abandoned nonconforming signs to be removed by the owner of the property on which the signs are located, if notified by the locality to do so. If, following such two-year period, the locality has made a reasonable attempt to notify the property owner, the locality through its own agents or employees may enter the property upon which the sign is located and remove any such sign whenever the owner has refused to do so. The cost of such removal shall be chargeable to the owner of the property.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Removal of nonconforming abandoned signs. Allows localities to remove abandoned nonconforming signs if the property owner or agent of the property owner cannot be located with reasonable diligence, or if the sign has not been removed within 30 days of notification of nonconformance. The property owner shall be liable for removal and disposal costs, which until paid shall constitute a lien on all real estate owned by such property owner in the locality. Localities may waive such liens to facilitate the sale of the property, and may record a notice of lien in local land records. Under existing law, a sign is considered abandoned if the business for which it was erected has not been in operation for at least two years.