[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1201]
1. The Ross Township Board of Commissioners makes the following findings:
A. Unauthorized signs along Township roads and on utility poles are
a danger because they are intended to distract motor vehicle operators
and because they often obstruct views of other vehicles.
B. Unauthorized signs along Township roads spoil the natural beauty
that is an invaluable asset treasured by residents, commuters and
visitors.
C. Residents, commuters and visitors have frequently asked the Ross
Township Board of Commissioners what could be done to eliminate roadside
signs soliciting for a variety of business interests.
D. There are a number of alternatives available to advertisers that
do not have the negative impacts that signs on roadsides and utility
poles have.
[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1202]
1. For the purpose of this Part, the following definition shall apply
unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
SIGN
Any surface, fabric or device bearing lettered, pictorial
or sculptured matter designed to convey information visually and exposed
to public view; or any structure including billboard or poster panel
designed to carry the above visual information.
[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1203]
1. Unless a permit has been issued and is valid in accordance with the
provisions elsewhere in this Code, all signs are prohibited from:
A. The area within the right-of-way lines of all public streets, sidewalks,
boulevards, highways, avenues, alleys, roads, or other public ways
(the area within the right-of-way lines includes unpaved areas).
B. Any utility poles or structures within the right-of-way lines.
[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1204]
1. Removal Procedure. Any sign found to violate this Part may be removed
forthwith by the Department of Public Works employees or by any other
Township employee duly authorized by the Manager.
2. Notice, Storage, Return. Upon removal of any sign in violation of
this Part, a designated employee of the Department of Public Works
or Building Inspection Department shall keep a record of the location
from which the sign was removed. Further, a reasonable attempt shall
be made to contact the owner by telephone. If such attempt is successful,
the owner shall be notified of the removal and of the location where
the sign may be retrieved. If telephone contact is not achieved, written
notice of the violation and the retrieval location may, but is not
required to be provided. In either case, the Department of Public
Works shall store any removed sign for at least 10 days. After expiration
of the ten-day period, the Township shall be permitted to destroy
or discard any sign.
3. Persons Deemed Responsible. The person(s), organization(s), or business(es)
named or promoted on the sign posted in violation of this Part shall
be deemed the owner responsible for the violation, absent prior notification
to the Director of the Department of Public Works of another responsible
party. Nothing in this Part shall be interpreted to make any person,
organization, or business liable for any signs posted by persons over
whom he/she/it has no control.
[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1205]
Any sign posted in violation of this Part is hereby declared
to be a nuisance. In addition to any other remedy provided by this
Part, the Township may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction
for an injunction to prohibit the continuation of any violation.
[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1206; as amended by Ord.
2288, 4/12/2010]
The Code Enforcement Officer or Building Code Official is authorized
to send written notices to individuals or organizations they believe
have violated this Part. The notice may include a copy of this Part
and intentions of the Township to enforce it.
[Ord. 2236, 5/29/2007, § 1207; as amended by Ord.
2288, 4/12/2010]
A violation of this Part shall be a summary offense. Each sign
in violation of this Part shall constitute a separate offense. The
owner of the sign and/or any person who caused the violation of this
Part shall be subject to prosecution and fine. The fine shall be no
more than $1,000 per sign and no less per sign than the total cost
to the Township to remove the sign (including proportionate wages
and benefits for employees while removing the sign, attempting to
locate the offender and storing the sign; proportionate vehicle cost,
maintenance and fuel for transportation of the sign; storage costs
and disposition costs).