(A) Any sign legally in existence on the effective date of any zoning regulation, which does not permit the signs may continue in existence as a matter of right. A nonconforming sign may be maintained and repaired on the same property so long as the area, height, placement of movable parts and luminosity are not altered to make the sign less in conformance with this chapter. Development sites with a nonconforming sign(s) may not install any additional freestanding signs if an existing freestanding sign is more than 20% nonconforming or any additional attached signs or an existing attached sign is more than 20% nonconforming even if one or more would otherwise be allowed by other provisions of this chapter. Nonconforming in this instance deals with area and height dimensions only. Nonconforming freestanding signs that meet the situation listed above shall be brought into 100% compliance before a second freestanding sign can be permitted.
(B) At the time as any structural element of a nonconforming sign is replaced, the sign must be brought into compliance with the requirements of current regulations, except that a nonconforming business sign may be replaced by another nonconforming business sign; provided that all nonconformance in area, height, size and setback is reduced by 50% of the difference between the existing nonconforming sign and what the regulation allows. Exception: No reduction in nonconformance shall be required for the replacement of signs, awnings, canopies and marquees that were damaged by a weather event or accident (i.e., vehicular accident) unless the damage results from neglect of maintenance or other willful act of the property owner. Replacement of structural elements in this context means the disassembly and subsequent re-assembly or the substantial alteration of the pole, base or frame. For awnings and canopies any change to the frame shall be considered as a structural change. The replacement of material covers shall not be considered a structural change.
(C) Structural components include the base and frame of the sign, but do not include the sign face.
(Ord. 06-08, passed 4-6-2006)