2026.07.06 ORD 2026-549 Replace Zoning and Land Use Ordinance

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Created: 2025-05-22 16:40:53 [EST] (Supp. No. 36) Page 164 of 198 (g) Items not considered maintenance. The following items are not considered maintenance and shall require that the sign be brought into conformance with all requirements with this section. (1) Said maintenance shall not include any changes made to size, height, light intensity or bulk of the sign or the temporary or permanent removal of the sign for the repair or replacement of the cabinet or any part thereof, not including the face. (2) Sign maintenance shall not include changes to the type of sign or changes to components of the sign. For example, replacement of a paper, vinyl, or static sign with dynamic or electronic displays shall not be considered sign maintenance and is prohibited. (h) Removal of abandoned signs. (1) If a building, structure or premise is vacated for a six-month period of time, the owner of said property shall be responsible for removing any nonconforming sign or signs located thereon with the exception of advertisements dealing with the sale or leasing of the facility. In addition, the owner shall be responsible for restoring the facade of the building, structure or premise to its normal appearance. (2) If the provisions of this section are not complied with, the code enforcement officer will mail a certified written notice, return receipt requested to the owner, tenant, or occupant of the property requiring them to comply with the provisions of this section. If the owner or owner's address is unknown, the city clerk will publish a notice in the city's official newspaper. The notices and publication shall include the property address or description of the property and description of the violation. The violation shall be abated by the owner within seven days of the mailing notice or publication. If there is failure to comply with the violations outlined by the ordinance, the city will remove the sign and assess the cost to the owner. The owner shall pay the assessment within 30 days or the assessment will be applied to the owner's property tax statement. (i) Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this sign ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this sign ordinance. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted the sign ordinance in each section, subsection, sentence, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid. (Prior Code, § 1195-660.1, § 90-265; Ord. No. 2008-428, § 1, 3-2-2009) Sec. 90-261. Solar energy systems. (a) It is unlawful for any person to construct, erect, install, or maintain a solar energy system in the city, except in conformance with this section. (b) The purpose of this section is to allow for the generation of renewable energy within the City of Hugo. Promoting the safe, effective, and efficient use of solar energy, may reduce the onsite consumption of fossil fuels and utility-supplied electric energy while avoiding adverse impacts on the community at large. (c) Solar energy systems must conform to the following standards: (1) A building permit shall be required for the erection of solar energy system. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the operator must provide evidence of an agreement with the local utility. Off-grid systems shall be exempt from providing evidence of an agreement with the local utility. (2) It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to secure any solar energy easements, if applicable, to protect solar access for the system (as per Minn. Stat. § 500.30). (3) Solar energy system components shall be labeled with the manufacturer’s name and address, model number, and serial number.