(a) Any sign erected prior to the effective date of this section, constructed in conformance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of its construction, but which by reason of its size, height, location, design, or construction is not in conformance with the regulations of this chapter may be continued as a legal non-conforming sign. Said signs must be located outside of the right-of-way unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer, a right-of-way permit has been issued for said sign and the annual right-of-way fee has been paid.
(b) A legal non-conforming sign shall immediately lose its legal non-conforming designation and shall be immediately brought into compliance with this chapter and a new permit secured if so required, or shall be removed upon any of the following occurrences:
(1) The non-conforming sign is structurally altered, enlarged, relocated or replaced.
(2) The non-conforming sign is determined by the City Planner or designee or the Chief Building Official: to be in a dangerous or defective condition; to fail to conform to health and fire codes; a public nuisance; or abandoned, deteriorated; or in need of repair or replacement.
(3) The non-conforming sign face and/or supportive structure is destroyed or damaged in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the combined replacement value of the sign and supportive structure, by any cause.
(c) No non-conforming sign shall be moved in whole or in part to any other location unless such sign is made to conform to this chapter, unless forced to move the non-conforming sign by the City, state, or federal officials for any reason other than enforcement.
(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the ordinary repair, maintenance, and non-structural alteration of non-conforming signs. Maintaining the non-conforming sign to the exact legal non-conforming design shall be allowed; however, any proposed changes to a non-conforming sign, except for replacement faces, shall require that the sign be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter. No structural alterations shall be made in, to, or upon such non-conforming sign, except those required by law to make the sign conform to the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 15-23. Passed 8-14-23.)