A. Signs which do not conform to the provisions of Chapter 17.60 as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title are nonconforming uses.
B. A nonconforming sign may not be:
1. Changed to another nonconforming sign;
2. Structurally altered as to prolong the life of the sign;
3. Expanded:
4. Reestablished after its removal for ninety days;
5. Reestablished after damage or destruction, if the estimated expense of reconstruction exceeds fifty percent of the appraised replacement cost at the time of the damage or destruction;
6. Routinely maintained where the cost of such repair or maintenance exceeds five percent of the current replacement costs for any period of twelve months. However, nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any sign or part thereof declared to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety;
7. Relocated unless such relocation brings the sign into conformance with all the requirements of this title, except that where a nonconforming sign is located within a right-of-way taken or acquired by a public body for street improvement purposes, then the relocation of such a sign is permitted.
C. All nonconforming signs shall be removed or brought into conformity with this title within ten years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.
D. The city council after receiving the recommendation of the board of appeals shall have the power to grant a variance from the provisions of subsection B of this section, so as to permit change, alteration, reestablishment, or more than routine maintenance of a nonconforming sign where such change, alteration, reestablishment, or maintenance shall not increase the size of the sign, make it radiate or reflect more light, or otherwise make it visually more objectionable. No such variance granted by the city council shall in any way postpone the time for removal of the nonconforming sign as provided in subsection C of this section beyond the time when the original sign which was permitted to be changed, altered, reestablished, or maintained hereunder would have been required to be removed.
(Ord. 81-11 Art. XVI § 9, 1980).