(a) The lawful use of any sign or advertising structure legally existing at the effective date of this Unified Development Ordinance or amendments thereto may be continued although such signage does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter. Such nonconforming signage shall be subject to the following provisions:
(b) Sign Discontinuance or Abandonment. Abandoned signs and their supports and hardware shall be removed within six (6) months after discontinuance of the business or use formally located on the premises. No right to continue the nonconforming use of the sign shall thereafter exist.
(c) Expansion, Alteration, or Reconstruction. No nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, reconstructed, or structurally altered unless such a sign modification is in conformance with the provisions of this chapter or reduces the amount of nonconformity.
(1) The face of a nonconforming sign may be replaced with alternative on-premises advertising if the face area is not increased.
(2) If a nonconforming sign and its associated support structure are removed, then any new or replacement signs shall be erected to comply with all of the provisions in this chapter and other sections of this UDO.
(3) Where more than fifty (50) percent of the replacement value of a nonconforming sign and/or its associated support structure is damaged, such sign shall lose its legal, nonconforming status and shall be removed.
(d) Maintenance.
(1) Normal maintenance of a nonconforming sign shall be permitted
(2) Billboards. Where the back of a legal, nonconforming billboard is visible, it shall be suitably painted or otherwise covered to present a neat and clean appearance. The area around a billboard shall be kept clean. All brush, tall grass, etc. shall be cleared away to a distance of ten (10) feet from the front, sides and rear of the structure.
(e) Hazardous or Illegal Signs. An existing nonconforming sign shall not be exempt from the conditions, procedures, or responsibilities set forth in Section 1160.09(h) regarding the removal of hazardous or illegal signs.