A. Nonconforming Signs. Signs legally existing on the effective date of this Ordinance which do not conform to the regulations set forth herein are legal nonconforming signs. Legal nonconforming signs may not be expanded but may be continued through repair, maintenance, restoration, or replacement, unless:
1. the sign is discontinued for a period of more than one year (discontinued shall mean the use or business associated with the sign has been discontinued for a period of more than one year); or
2. the sign is destroyed by fire, neglect, or other peril to the extent of greater than 50% of its market value, and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the sign was damaged.
B. Immediate Removal of Hazardous Signs. The City Council shall order the removal of any sign found to be hazardous for any reason or found to be hazardous because it is a "Hazardous Sign in a Right-of-Way." The City Council shall send an Order to Remove Sign to the record owner of the subject real property (if the sign is not on public property) and to the apparent owner and to the advertiser shown on the sign. The Order shall direct removal of the sign and its support structure within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing. The Order shall disclose the potential criminal penalties and the costs that may be imposed if it is necessary for the City to remove the Sign. No Sign shall be deemed to be legally nonconforming because it is presently defined as hazardous and was not defined hazardous under prior law, Ordinance, or regulation.
[§ 7B-401, formerly § 10-401, amended by Ord. No. 89-1, effective July 21, 1989, amended by Ord. No. 07-02, effective March 1, 2007, amended by Ord. No. 10-06, effective May 6, 2010.]