(1) Nonconforming signs. It is recognized that signs exist within the zoning districts that were lawful before this sign chapter was enacted, which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments. It is the intention of this sign chapter that nonconforming signs shall be allowed to continue to exist, but they shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as the grounds for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is further the intent of this sign chapter to permit legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of this sign chapter, or amendments thereto, to continue as legal nonconforming signs provided the signs are safe, are maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following provisions:
(a) No sign shall be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity;
(b) Should the sign or sign structure be destroyed by any means to an extent greater than 50% of its replacement cost and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the property was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter;
(c) Should the sign or sign structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved;
(d) No existing sign devoted to a use not permitted by the zoning code in the zoning district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended or moved except in changing the sign to a sign permitted in the zoning district in which is it located; and
(e) When a structure loses its nonconforming status, all signs devoted to the structure shall be removed and all signs painted directly on the structure shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize with the structure.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)