(A) Maintenance of nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to § 151.3016.
(B) Legal nonconforming status. The burden of establishing that a sign is a legal nonconforming sign shall, in all cases, be upon the owner of such sign.
(C) Alteration and removal of nonconforming signs.
(1) Nonconforming signs shall be removed and any subsequent modification or replacement, excluding maintenance pursuant to § 151.3016, shall conform to all requirements of this chapter:
(a) When the sign is damaged to a degree greater than 50% of the estimated replacement value;
(b) When the use which the nonconforming sign is accessory to is vacant for 90 consecutive days;
(c) When the sign is altered in any way in structure or size;
(d) When the sign is relocated;
(e) When the sign is replaced;
(f) When the sign is repainted, excluding normal repainting or touch-up; or
(g) Following seven years from the date of notice to the property owner of the amendment of this chapter which made the sign nonconforming.
(2) A nonconforming sign shall not be altered, modified or reconstructed other than to comply with this chapter except:
(a) When the existing use has new ownership which results in a change in the name of the use or business on the property;
(b) When the space is re-occupied by a similar use and the new occupant requires no external building or site renovation; or
(c) An existing sign pursuant to this division may be changed by replacing a sign panel. Such alterations shall not require changes to the structure, framing or erection or relocation of the sign unless such changes conform to this chapter.
(Ord. 10, 2018, passed 7-11-18; Am. Ord. 2, 2022, passed 4-6-22)