(A) Criteria for establishing abandonment. A sign or sign structure shall be considered abandoned when any of the following occurs:
(1) Any business advertised thereon is no longer in business and has not been in business anywhere within the town for more than six months;
(2) Any product or service advertised thereon is no longer offered and has not been offered for the past six months;
(3) The structure no longer supports a sign for a period of six months;
(4) The sign, structure or advertising display is visibly damaged or partially missing; and/or
(5) Internal or halo illumination is partially or wholly burned out or inoperative.
(B) Removal of abandoned signs. Any sign or sign structure that has been abandoned shall be removed or restored to use within 30 days after a notice of abandonment is issued to the owner of the site. Notice shall be given by the Community Development Director using certified mail. The Community Development Director may allow an abandoned sign or sign structure to remain in place provided that the sign or sign structure is maintained in good condition, and that there is a reasonable possibility that the sign will be restored to use within a one-year period.
(C) Historic signs. Abandoned signs that are deemed by the Community Development Director to be historically significant may be permitted to remain for a specified duration, provided such signs do not present any safety considerations.
(D) Variances and minor deviations. Variances and deviations from the provisions of this section may not be granted.
(Ord. 677-19, passed 11-18-2019)