(A) Illegal signs. Every sign in existence on January 1, 2010 and which was prohibited or illegal at the time of installation, and which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter shall be an illegal sign. Such signs shall be removed immediately upon notification of illegality. Failure to remove such signs shall be a violation of this chapter. Signs which are not constructed, maintained, or displaced pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, and which are not legal, and which are nonconforming shall be illegal, except as follows:
(1) Any sign conforming to county laws at the time the property upon which it is displayed is annexed to the city and which is made non-conforming or illegal under the provisions of this chapter shall be removed or brought into conformance within five years after the date it became non-conforming. Any sign which has been declared non-conforming under county laws prior to annexation to the city shall be removed or brought into conformance with this chapter within the time period provided for under the county’s law provided the time period is less than five years;
(2) Any sign of historical significance; where the sign display is within an area listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historical Places, or in an area registered as an historical landmark or point of interest, or in an area designated as an historical zone.
(B) Nonconforming signs.
(1) Signs that were in conformance with existing ordinance prior to the adoption, or subsequent amendments, of this chapter, but are inconsistent with the adopted content are considered Legal Nonconforming Signs. As such, they may continue to exist provided that they are not altered, modified, or changed in such a way that would increase the degree of nonconformity. When such modification, alteration or change occurs or is proposed, the sign shall be brought into compliance with the standards of this chapter, and shall be permitted under the specifications of this chapter. Each nonconforming sign shall be removed or made to conform to the provisions of this article at the sole cost of the owner thereof.
(2) A legal nonconforming sign shall be made to conform immediately to the provisions of this chapter if/when:
(a) The sign is destroyed or damaged to an extent in excess of 50% of its estimated value. The sign shall not be replaced or repaired except by a sign which conforms to the provisions of this chapter;
(b) The owner relocates the sign;
(c) There is an agreement between the owner and the city for the removal of a sign on a given date;
(d) The use of the sign is discontinued for over 180 days, at which such time the sign shall be removed within 30 days, unless within that period of time it is made to conform;
(e) The sign display is or may become a danger to the public or is unsafe; or
(f) The sign display constitutes a traffic hazard not created by the relocation of streets or highways or by acts of the city or county.
(Ord. 864 C.S., passed 11-4-09)