Section 23-32 Removal of unlawful signs.

(b) The director of public works is authorized to order the owner of any private property to remove or bring into compliance any unlawful sign on the owner's property within a reasonable time specified by the director. The order shall require the unlawful sign to be removed or brought into compliance unless the owner, within ten (10) days of receipt of the order, appeals the matter to the board of adjustment pursuant to Section 23-31. If the board finds that the sign is unlawful, it shall order the sign removed or brought into compliance within a specified time.

(c) If a sign is not removed or brought into compliance as specified in an unappealed order of the director of public works or as specified by the board of adjustment, the director of public works may cause the sign to be removed. The director of public works shall submit the actual cost of such removal to the owner of the property. If the owner does not pay the cost within thirty (30) days of receipt, the director of public works shall certify the cost to the director of finance who shall cause a special tax bill against the property to be prepared and collected. The tax bill shall be due and payable from the date of issuance and shall be a lien on the property from the date of issuance until paid. Tax bills issued pursuant to this section shall bear interest from the date of issuance at the rate of nine (9) percent per annum.