A sign which is displayed pursuant to a Building Permit issued by the City, but does not conform to current regulations, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign (hereinafter referred to as a “nonconforming” sign) and shall be governed by the following regulations:
(a) Permitted Repair and Alterations. A nonconforming sign may be painted, cleaned or repaired as required in Section 350.18 but shall not be otherwise altered, moved or replaced unless made to conform to current regulations. Such sign, however, may be altered to permit a change of message or change of face if such change does not structurally alter the sign casing or support.
(b) Limitation on Reconstruction. A nonconforming sign or part thereof damaged or deteriorated to an extent exceeding fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost shall not be reconstructed or replaced unless made to conform to regulations of this Code. For a nonconforming sign damaged by a single incident (such as a storm), to an extent less than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost, reconstruction is permitted only if such work is begun within six (6) months of the incident and is completed within twelve (12) months of the incident.
(c) Discontinuance of Use. A nonconforming sign shall be removed or made to conform to regulations of this Code if the use to which the sign refers has been discontinued for a continuous and immediately preceding period of at least six (6) months, except as provided in division (f) of this section. In the case of a nonconforming billboard, as defined in this chapter, such sign shall be removed or made to conform to regulations of this Code if, for a continuous and immediately preceding period of at least twelve (12) months, the billboard has been blank or has displayed copy which is faded or damaged so as to render it illegible or has referred to an event or activity which has ended or to a business or product or service which has been discontinued.
(d) Temporary Signs. All nonconforming temporary signs, including portable signs, shall be removed or made to comply with the regulations of this Code within thirty (30) days after issuance of a violation notice by the City.
(e) Signs for Nonconforming Uses. For legal nonconforming uses, such as a retail use in a residential zoning district, the applicable signage regulations shall be those most appropriate to the nature of the nonconforming use.
(f) Landmark Signs. A landmark sign is one which is determined to be historically or architecturally significant by the Landmarks Commission in accordance with the standards of division (a) of Section 161.04 of the Codified Ordinances. A sign so identified by the Commission shall be exempt from the prohibitions regarding reconstruction or retention as stated in divisions (a) and (b) of Section 350.19. Any proposed reconstruction of such sign shall be permitted only if approved by the Landmarks Commission in accordance with its customary standards for review.
(Ord. No. 1435-99. Passed 2-28-00, eff. 3-6-00)