(1) This section provides for the regulation of legal nonconforming signs. These regulations are designed to protect the rights of legally existing nonconforming signs but not promote expansion or enlargement of the signs.
(2) A legal nonconforming sign under this Ordinance is any sign lawfully erected under County zoning regulations at the effective date of incorporation, annexation, or under previous zoning regulations in effect at the time of adoption of this Ordinance or any amendment thereof, unless otherwise specified in Article VIII.
(3) No expansion or physical alteration that exceeds twenty-five (25) percent of the sign area or structure shall be made to any nonconforming sign unless such expansion conforms to the regulations specified in this Article.
(4) Any nonconforming sign which has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, war, riot, or act of God may be reconstructed and used as before, if done within six (6) months of such calamity. The Town Council, after review and recommendation by the Development Review Board, may determine that further delay in reconstruction was caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the owner and permit a reasonable extension of time for reconstruction. Any applicable regulations may be waived by the Town Council provided the restored sign is not more nonconforming than that which existed at the time of the calamity.
(5) Any nonconforming sign which ceases to be used for a period exceeding six (6) months shall be removed or converted to a conforming sign (except as provided in the preceding paragraph). A nonconforming sign shall not be changed to a different nonconforming use. This shall not prevent a change in ownership of the subject nonconforming sign.
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