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New owner of former Seahorse Floors ordered to remove nonconforming sign by July 23 or face $250-per-day fines
Summary
The special magistrate found the sign advertising Seahorse Floors had been discontinued for more than 180 days and ordered Parish Rentals LLC to remove the sign by July 23, 2025; failure to comply could trigger fines of $250 per day.
Special Magistrate Brenna Durden ruled on March 26 that a sign at 725 North Third Street advertising Seahorse Floors constitutes an illegal nonconforming sign because the business has not operated for years, and ordered Parish Rentals LLC to remove the sign by July 23, 2025. The magistrate said a $250-per-day fine could be imposed if the sign remained after that date.
City planner Christian Capaldi and code enforcement staff presented evidence that the business had been closed for multiple years and that the sign advertises a use that has been discontinued. Capaldi summarized the relevant code, saying signs that remain “vacant, unoccupied, or devoid of any message … for a period of 180 days shall be deemed discontinued” and must be removed under Division 34-450.
Brent Parish, a manager for Parish Rentals LLC, said the property owner is renovating the building with an active permit and is marketing the property; he asked for additional time to remove the sign and estimated removal costs are significant. Durden balanced those concerns with the city’s enforcement history and gave Parish Rentals 120 days to remove the sign; if the sign is not removed by July 23, 2025 the magistrate said the $250-per-day penalty would be applied from that point.
The magistrate instructed parties to notify Code Enforcement when the sign has been removed so the case can be closed; no fines were imposed at the March 26 hearing.
