The council finds that regulating signs will promote the public health, safety, and welfare by minimizing the hazards to vehicle operators distracted by signs, and the hazards to pedestrians from improperly positioned and maintained signs.

Regulation will help retain the County's unique visual and aesthetic qualities for its residents and visitors. (Ord. 3057 § 1 (part), 2002: Ord. 1875 § 2 (part), 1990)

For all districts, signs or posters not exceeding eighteen square feet in display surface, announcing candidates seeking political office are authorized. (Ord. 3211 § 2, 2004: Ord. 3057 § 1 (part), 2002)

A. Any signs not specifically permitted by this chapter are prohibited. A person who erects, owns, or uses a sign and who fails to comply with this chapter and the terms of any sign permit shall be guilty of a violation. An owner or lessee of real property who allows a sign to exist, or to be erected or used, on the property, and who fails to comply with this chapter and the terms of any sign permit shall be guilty of a violation.

B. A violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars.

C. After the director or a law enforcement officer has given a written notice of violation to a person who fails to comply with this chapter, each additional day of noncompliance shall constitute a new violation unless the sign is removed. (Ord. 3057 § 1 (part), 2002)

Any person aggrieved by a determination by any county official pursuant to this chapter, may appeal the determination to the board of variances and appeals within ten working days after receiving published or other notice of the determination. The determination being appealed shall be held in abeyance, pending the decision of the board. The board may promulgate rules and prescribe forms to implement this section. (Ord. 3057 § 1 (part), 2002)

The director may promulgate rules to clarify and implement this chapter. (Ord. 3057 § 1 (part), 2002)

If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable. (Ord. 3057 § 1 (part), 2002)