2005 Maine Code - §1917 — Removal of unlawful signs

      1. Notice to remove. The owner of a sign which was or is unlawfully erected or maintained either prior to or after the effective date of this chapter shall be in violation of this chapter until the sign is removed. The owner of the sign shall remove the sign within 30 days of receipt of a notice to remove, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the commissioner. If the identity of such owner is not known or reasonably ascertainable by the commissioner, such notice may instead be sent to the owner of the land on which the sign is placed.[1981, c. 318, § 4 (rpr).]
      2. Commissioner to remove sign. If the owner fails to remove the sign as required, the commissioner shall remove the sign at the expense of the owner without any further notice or proceeding and may recover the expense of this removal from the owner.[1981, c. 318, § 4 (rpr).]
      3. Interpretation of chapter. Nothing in this chapter may be interpreted to alter, abridge or in any way interfere with any duty or obligation of a sign owner to remove signs which were nonconforming and illegal prior to January 1, 1975, under the United States Code, Title 23, section 131, as enacted by Public Law 89-285, 89 Congress S. 2084, the "Agreement for carrying out National Policy relative to Control of Outdoor Advertising in Areas adjacent to the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and the Federal-Aid Primary System" dated December 27, 1967, and as amended on January 3, 1968, executed by and between the United States of America and the State of Maine, under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, sections 2711 to 2723.

The intent of this subsection is to preclude any presumption that this chapter is intended to extend the period of use of any sign which became nonconforming and illegal before January 1, 1975, under the state agreement of December 27, 1967, as amended January 3, 1968, and Title 32, sections 2711 to 2723.
[1981, c. 318, § 4 (rpr).]
      4. Compensation subject to litigation. Whenever the compensation to be paid for removal of any sign is the subject of litigation, pending the litigation such sign shall be removed as provided in subsections 1 and 2.[1981, c. 318, § 4 (rpr).]
      5. Summary removal of illegal signs within the public right-of-way. Signs which are erected in nonconformance with this chapter and which are within the limits of any public right-of-way shall be subject to immediate removal by the commissioner.[1981, c. 318, § 4 (rpr).]

Section History:

PL 1977,  Ch. 494,   §1 (NEW).
PL 1979,  Ch. 477,   §13-15 (AMD).
PL 1981,  Ch. 318,   §4 (RPR).