The text
Sec. 28-163. - Administration.#
The town council designates the administrator to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1000, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-164. - Permits.#
(a)
Permits required. Except as otherwise specifically stated in this chapter, no sign shall be erected, placed, replaced, or altered without the owner or agent of the owner having obtained a zoning permit. Zoning permits are in addition to required building permits and licenses.
(b)
Application for permit. All applications for zoning permits shall be made to the town administrator or his designated representative. The following information shall be submitted with the application:
(1)
Documentation of ownership of property on which the sign is to be erected or written authorization by the owner of the property.
(2)
Name and address of the owner of the sign.
(3)
Site plan showing the precise location of the sign in respect to property and right-of-way liens and any buildings or other improvements on the property.
(4)
Exact size, nature and type of sign to be erected.
(5)
Any other information, specifications, or the like deemed necessary by the town administrator or his representative.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1001, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-165. - Fees.#
The charge for a zoning permit for a permanent sign shall be the same as the fee for a commercial zoning permit, except as noted below. (1)
Special events signs. The charge for a zoning permit for a special event sign shall be $10.00 per sign per use period.
(2)
Failure to obtain permit. If a sign is erected without a permit, and a permit is subsequently obtained, the fee for the permit shall be doubled.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1002, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-166. - Impoundment of signs.#
(a)
If any sign requiring a permit is erected without a permit, or if any sign is erected in violation of these regulations, the town administrator shall have the authority to give the owner thereof written notice of such violation. Said notice shall include a brief statement of the particulars in which these regulations are violated and the manner in which the violation is to be remedied. If the sign has been permitted, notice to the person receiving the permit shall be sufficient. If a sign has not been permitted, and the owner is not known, a highly visible sticker reading "VIOLATION" shall be attached to the sign for a period of ten days. If the sign owner cannot be found, the duty to perform corrections or removal of the sign will be upon the property owner on whose property the sign is located.
(b)
If, within ten days, the owner of the sign fails to contact the town administrator, bring the sign into conformance with these regulations, and obtain a sign permit, the town administrator shall have the authority to have the sign removed and impounded without further notice, and the cost of removal shall constitute a lien against the property on which the sign is located. The town shall not be liable for any damage to the sign or property as a result of such removal.
(c)
The town administrator shall have the authority to remove and impound, without notice to the owners thereof, any signs placed within any street right-of-way, signs attached to trees, rocks or other natural features, and signs attached to telephone or utility poles.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1003, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-167. - Violations and penalties.#
(a)
Any person violating, by act or omission, any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00, 30 days in jail, or both, at the discretion of the court.
(b)
Where such an act or omission is continued in violation of the provisions of this chapter after notice of such violation by the town administrator, each and every day during which such act or omission continues shall be deemed a separate violation.
(c)
The owner or tenant of any building, structure, premises, or part thereof, and any sign company, contractor, architect, surveyor, builder, engineer, agent, or other person who commits, participates in, assists in, or maintains such violation may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1004, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-168. - Appeals.#
Any person who feels the town administrator has erred in the interpretation or enforcement of these regulations may appeal such decision to the zoning board of adjustment as provided in the "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ridgeland."
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1005, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-169. - Variances.#
A variance may be granted from the provisions of these regulations by the zoning board of adjustment as provided in the "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ridgeland."
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1006, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-170. - Amendments.#
This chapter may be amended by the town council in accordance with the procedures established by the South Carolina Code of Laws.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1007, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-171. - Separability.#
Should any article, section, clause or provision of this chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the chapter as a whole or any other article, section, clause or provision of this chapter not declared to be unconstitutional or invalid shall not be affected.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1008, 3-7-1996)