(A) Existing signs. Except for signs determined to create a public safety hazard due to content or due to disrepair and condition or illegally established signs, all legally established signs existing upon the effective date of this subchapter shall not be enlarged or reconstructed, but may be continued at the size and in the manner of operation existing upon that date.
(B) Alterations.
(1) A nonconforming sign may not be expanded.
(2) A nonconforming sign may be continued, including through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance or improvement, unless:
(a) The nonconforming sign is discontinued for a period exceeding one year; or
(b) The nonconforming sign is destroyed by fire or other peril to the extent of greater than 50% of its market value, and no permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the nonconforming sign is damaged.
(3) Any permit is subject to reasonable conditions imposed by the City Council to mitigate the impact on adjacent properties.
(C) Nonconforming sign maintenance and repair. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as relieving the owner or user of a legal nonconforming sign or owner of the property on which the legal nonconforming sign is located from the provisions of this chapter regarding safety, maintenance and repair of signs; provided, however, that any repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall not modify the sign structure or copy in any way which makes it more nonconforming or the sign shall lose its legal nonconforming status.
(D) Nonconforming uses. When the principal use of land is legally nonconforming, all existing or proposed signs in conjunction with that land, shall be considered conforming if they are in compliance with the sign provisions for the most restrictive zoning district in which the principal use is allowed.
(Prior Code, § 11-24-2) (Ord. 258, passed 5-4-2006)