(a) All signs that do not conform to the specific standards of this code may be considered legally nonconforming if the sign was erected in conformance with a valid sign permit and complied with all applicable laws at the time of the sign's installation or if the sign was part of a property that was annexed to the City.
(b) A sign shall lose its legal nonconforming status and must be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter by an application for, and issuance of, a sign permit or by complete removal, if any of the following occurs:
(1) If such sign is damaged to an amount exceeding 50 percent of the sign's replacement value, as determined by at least two sign companies requested to provide a quote;
(2) The structure of the sign is altered in any form;
(3) The sign is relocated;
(4) The sign is defined as a temporary sign and has been in use for more than one year following the effective date of this amendment; or
(5) The nonconforming sign and its structure (including support and frame and panel) are determined by the Zoning Administrator to be unsafe or in violation of this code and are declared a nuisance.
(c) Failure to bring a sign into compliance after loss of a legal nonconformity status as defined in (B) above shall cause the sign to be considered an illegal sign.
(d) Minor repairs and maintenance of nonconforming signs, such as repainting, electrical repairs and neon tubing repair shall be permitted.
(e) Sign face changes where there is no change to the nonconforming sign structure including change in sign face area, height, or alteration of the sign cabinet, if applicable, may be made without a sign permit and without losing the legal nonconforming status of the sign. These actions include, but are not limited to, replacement of a sign face within a pre-existing sign cabinet, repainting of a sign face where the message does not change, etc.
(Ord. 34-17. Effective 12-7-17.)