Nonconforming signs may be maintained, except as hereafter set forth:
(a) No nonconforming sign or part thereof shall be altered, modified, relocated, or changed in any manner whatsoever, unless the entire sign shall be brought into compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter, and all other applicable City laws and ordinances.
(b) Any nonconforming sign the use of which is voluntarily discontinued for a period of at least six (6) months shall either be removed or brought into compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable City laws and ordinances.
(c) Any nonconforming sign for a property or premises that undergoes a change of use (permitted), as that term is defined in this Planning and Zoning Code, shall be brought into compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable City laws and ordinances.
(Ord. 03-2008. Passed 1-14-08.)
(d) Transition. A transition is hereby provided for a period of seven (7) years from December 1, 2006 for all non-conforming signs. Any non-conforming sign shall be brought into conformity by the end of the transition period, namely November 30, 2013. During this transition period appeals for variances from the requirements of this Chapter may be submitted to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Variances may be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals if it is determined that a hardship exists. All signs established during the transition period shall conform to the provisions of this chapter. For non-conforming signs, which become non-conforming because of amendment to this chapter after the date of the Ordinance adopting the revisions to this section, or which become non-conforming because of a change in the District in which the sign is located, the transition period of seven (7) years shall be computed from the effective date of the rezoning amendment or change unless the amendment or change is sought by the owner of the property upon which the sign is located, in which event the non-conforming sign shall be removed or brought into conformance upon the effective date of such zoning amendment. Any owner of a non-conforming sign who sells or leases the property upon which the sign is located shall disclose to all lessees of the property or the prospective purchaser of the property the time they may need in the amortization and in the transition period applicable to the sign or signs on such property. Abandoned non-conforming signs are deemed to be fully amortized as if the transition period has passed within six (6) months after abandonment. The owner of the premises upon which such non-conforming sign must be removed shall be responsible for removal within ten (10) days after notice from the Building Commissioner. (Ord. 06-2011. Passed 2-14-11.)