(A) Except as herein provided, nonconforming signs that were otherwise lawful on the effective date of this subchapter may be continued.
(B) No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign or causes a previously conforming sign to become nonconforming.
(C) A nonconforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete conformity with this subchapter. Once a nonconforming sign is removed from the premises or otherwise taken down or moved, the sign may only be replaced with a sign that is in conformance with the terms of this subchapter.
(D) Minor repairs and maintenance of nonconforming signs necessary to keep a nonconforming sign for a particular use in sound condition are permitted so long as the nonconformity is not in any means increased.
(E) If a nonconforming sign is destroyed by natural causes, it may not thereafter be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all the provisions of this subchapter, and the remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the land. For purposes of this section, a nonconforming sign shall be considered "destroyed" if it receives damage to an extent of more than 50% of the sign's value immediately prior to the sign having received the damage.
(F) Notwithstanding other provisions contained in this section, the message of a nonconforming sign may be changed so long as this does not create any new nonconformities.
(G) (1) If a nonconforming on- premises sign that advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity has for a period of at least 180 days not been operated, conducted, or offered, that sign shall be deemed abandoned and shall be removed or brought into compliance by the sign owner, property owner, or other party having control over such sign within 30 days after the 180-day period has expired.
(2) Notwithstanding the above, if there is a change of name of business on a particular piece of property, and there were one or more on-premises nonconforming signs which advertised the former business or use, any new signs used, and all new sign faces for the new use or business, must meet all sign requirements for the underlying zoning district.
(H) (1) If a nonconforming sign remains blank for a continuous period of 180 days, that sign shall be deemed abandoned and shall, within 30 days after such abandonment, be altered to comply with this subchapter or be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other person having control over such sign.
(2) For purposes of this subchapter, a sign shall be deemed "blank" if:
(a) It advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodations, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted; or
(b) The advertising message it displays becomes illegible in whole or substantial part; or
(c) It does not contain an advertising message. (For such purposes, the terms "Sign For Rent," "Sign For Lease," "Sign for Sale," etc. shall not be deemed to be an advertising message).
(I) All nonconforming signs shall be removed within ten years following the effective date of this subchapter.
(Ord. 01-44, passed 12-17-01; Am. Ord. 21-02, passed 1-19-21; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 22-01, passed 1-3-22) Penalty, see § 10.80