(a) For purposes of this chapter, a nonconforming sign shall be defined as a sign which existed at the effective date of Ordinance 97 (86-87), September 26, 1986, and which sign could not be erected under the present terms of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Marietta, Ohio.
(b) Nonconforming signs shall be permitted to remain in place subject to the following terms and conditions:
(1) In the event a nonconforming sign exists on the effective date of this section, the sign owner, lessee or business owner shall have three months to make any necessary structural repairs or modifications to the sign, so long as it is not enlarged or moved from its present location;
(2) In the event a business ceases operation at the location of a nonconforming sign for a period of time in excess of ninety days, the sign owner or lessee, or the property owner, shall immediately remove any sign identifying or advertising such business or any product sold thereon. Any subsequent sign erected shall thereafter comply with the terms of this section;
(3) In the event a nonconforming sign shall be repaired by the sign owner or lessee, or the property owner, it may be repaired in its existing location so long as the original structure and size of the sign is maintained. The sign structure itself may not be replaced except during the three month period immediately subsequent to the effective date of this section. The sign message board may be replaced to correctly identify the business or product sold therein so long as the message board is not larger than the existing message board;
(4) All sign owners, lessees or property owners shall register their nonconforming signs with the office of the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall maintain a record as to the location, size and structural composition of all nonconforming signs. The City Engineer shall inspect such signs once each year to determine that they conform to the terms of this section and to determine that they are maintained in a structurally safe manner. If the City Engineer determines that a sign can no longer be maintained safely, the sign owner, lessee, or property owner shall remove it immediately. Any replacement sign shall conform to the Codified Ordinances of the City.
(5) There shall be only one sign allowed per business. All other advertising signs and poles shall be removed from the right of way.
(Ord. 40(92-93). Passed 5-7-92.)