§ 501.150. Removal Of Sign And Sign Structures Where A Business Is No Longer In Operation., Chapter 501. Sign Code, Building and Construction, Code of Ordinances, Blue Springs

A building, structure or premises shall be determined to be vacated based on the following criteria: (1) vacancy, (2) cessation of some or all utilities, or (3) lapse or termination of occupational license. Vacation of a building, structure or premises shall have the following effect:

At ninety (90) days, non-conforming signs shall lose their non-conforming status;

At one hundred twenty (120) days, the owner of the property shall be responsible for removing any commercial sign and/or sign structure associated with the business that is out of operation located on the property; and

Signs addressing the sale or leasing of the facility in compliance with Section 501.070(H) of the Sign Code are permitted; however, conversion of an existing sign or sign structure to a sale or leasing sign, where permitted, shall not affect the time provisions of this Section. In addition, the owner shall be responsible for restoring the facade of the building, structure or premises to its normal appearance.

Sign structures that have been left vacant, devoid of any message, display a message pertaining to a time, event or purpose that no longer applies, or are unoccupied, any of which for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days, shall be deemed abandoned and must be removed by the owner of the sign structure or the City shall proceed to remove such sign structure pursuant to the terms of this Sign Code.

If the sign and/or sign structure(s) have not been removed, the City shall send written notification to the property owner of record and/or last known occupant, via certified mail, return receipt requested, indicating that the sign and/or sign structure must be removed. If the sign and/or sign structure have not been removed within thirty (30) days after the City sends notice, the City may have the sign and/or sign structure removed.

Any and all costs incurred by the City in the removal of a sign or sign structure pursuant to the provisions of this Section, which authorized assessment of the cost, shall constitute a lien against the property upon which the sign or sign structure existed and shall be collected in the same manner as provided in Section 245.320 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Blue Springs, Missouri.