Off-premises signs in the extraterritorial jurisdiction may be altered only as follows.
(a) Advertising copy, including letters, symbols, or other matter on the sign, may be changed, including the exchange of display faces that are designed to be interchangeable to facilitate the display of advertising copy; provided, however, display faces that are designed to be permanently attached to the supporting sign structure may be replaced only with display faces composed of like materials, e.g., a plywood display face may be replaced only with a plywood display face. Display faces may be replaced only with display faces that are the same size or smaller than the size initially registered in accordance with § 5.01, plus cut-out extensions that do not exceed 20% of the registered sign area. The temporary use of a sign with a display face that is smaller than the size that was initially registered shall not bar the replacement of the display face with a larger display face, provided that it shall not exceed the size reflected in the initial registration. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, vinyl, paint or pasted paper may be affixed to a display face composed of any material.
(b) A sign which has been blown down or otherwise destroyed by wind, fire or damages from any other source, may be repaired, provided that the cost of repairing the sign is 60% of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location, or less. If the cost of repairing the sign is more than 60% of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location, the sign may not be altered, reconstructed, repaired or replaced, and the owner shall remove the sign or bring it into compliance with this chapter and all other applicable ordinances.
(c) (1) Maintenance operations may be performed on the sign.
(2) For purposes of this section,
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS means the process of keeping a sign in good repair.
(3) Maintenance operations include:
a. Cleaning;
b. Painting;
c. Repair of parts with like materials in a manner that does not alter the basic design or structure of the sign, provided that the cost of all repairs performed during any consecutive 365-day period is not more than 60% of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location; and
d. Replacement of parts with like materials in a manner that does not alter the basic design or structure of the sign, provided that the cost of all replacement of parts performed during any consecutive 365-day period is not more than 60% of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location.
(4) The 365-day period limitation shall not apply to a sign that has been blown down or otherwise destroyed as described in subsection (b) above.
(5) Examples of actions that are not maintenance operations and are therefore prohibited include, without limitation:
a. Converting a sign from a multiple pole structure to a monopole structure;
b. Replacing wooden components with metal components;
c. Increasing the area or height of a sign, except for increases in area permitted under subsection (a) above;
d. Adding illumination to a non-illuminated sign;
e. Adding additional display faces; and
f. Converting a sign to utilize animated display or moveable copy technology, including but not limited to signs featuring tri-vision technology.
(6) If a sign is dismantled for any purpose other than an alteration or maintenance operation permitted hereunder, the sign may not be altered, reconstructed, repaired or replaced, and the owner shall remove the sign or bring it into compliance with this chapter and all other applicable ordinances.
(d) All other alterations of any nature whatsoever in connection with nonconforming signs are prohibited. If any such alteration is performed, the owner shall remove the sign or bring it into compliance with this chapter and all other applicable ordinances. The cost of any accessory use to a sign, including without limitation a communication antenna and support facilities, shall not be included in calculating the cost of erecting a new sign at the same location pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) above.