(a) All signs that do not conform to the specific standards of this code may be considered legally nonconforming if the sign was erected in conformance with a valid certificate of zoning compliance and complied with all applicable laws at the time of the sign's installation or if the sign was part of a property that was annexed to the City.
(b) A sign shall lose its legal nonconforming status and must be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter by an application for and issuance of a certificate of zoning compliance or by complete removal, if any of the following occurs:
(1) If such sign is damaged to an amount exceeding 50% of the sign's replacement value, as determined by at least two sign companies requested to provide a quote;
(2) The sign type or structure is altered in any form;
(3) The sign is relocated;
(4) The nonconforming sign and its structure (including support and frame and panel) are determined by the Development Code Administrator to be unsafe or in violation of this code or the building code, and are declared a nuisance.
(c) Failure to bring a sign into compliance after loss of a legal nonconformity status as defined in division (b) above shall cause the sign to be considered an illegal sign.
(d) Minor repairs and maintenance of nonconforming signs, such as repainting, electrical repairs and neon tubing repair shall be permitted. Maintenance does not include making changes in the words, symbols, or design on the current sign unless the words and symbols are part of the changeable reader board or removable panels on a sign cabinet.
(e) Sign face changes where there is no change to the nonconforming sign structure including change in sign face area, height, or alteration of the sign cabinet, if applicable, may be made without a certificate of zoning compliance and without losing the legal nonconforming status of the sign. These actions include, but are not limited to, replacement of a sign face, repainting of a sign face, etc.
(Ord. O2018-02, passed 2-20-2018)