(a) Intent: It is the intent of this Chapter to encourage eventual elimination of signs that as a result of the adoption of this Chapter become non-conforming. Furthermore, this Chapter seeks to realize the removal of illegal non-conforming signs and to avoid any unreasonable invasion of established private property rights.
(b) Lawful Existing Signs: Any sign lawfully existing at the time of this Chapter which does not fully comply with all provisions shall be considered a legal non-conforming sign and may be permitted to remain as long as the sign is properly maintained and not detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community except as hereafter provided.
(c) Continuance: A non-conforming sign shall not:
(1) Be expanded or changed to another nonconforming sign or so as to increase the degree of non-conformity of the sign;
(2) Be relocated or re-established after its discontinuance.
(3) Be structurally reconstructed so as to prolong the life of the sign; or so as to change the shape, size, type, placement, or design of the sign's structural parts.
(4) Re-established after damage or destruction, ordinary wear or obsolescence, if the estimated cost of the reconstruction or renovation exceeds fifty (50%) percent of the replacement cost of the sign.
(5) Be altered unless the alteration or reconstruction be in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. For the purpose of this Chapter only, the term "altered" or "reconstructed" shall not include normal maintenance; changing of surface sign space to a lesser or equal area; landscaping below the base line; or changing electrical wiring or devices, backgrounds, letters, figures, or characters.
(6) On lots where an existing sign exceeds the sign area, sign height or encroaches into the minimum required setback area allowed by this chapter, and in that respect is a legal non-conforming sign, no new sign, either free-standing or attached to a building, shall be erected until such existing legal non-conforming sign is brought into compliance with this chapter.
(d) Termination of Business: Nonconforming signs and sign structures shall be removed or made to conform within 60 days of the termination of the business or use to which they are accessory.
(e) Change of Property: If the owner of a sign or the premises on which a sign is located changes the location of a building so that any sign on the premises is rendered nonconforming, such sign must be removed or made to conform to this Chapter.
(f) Portable and Temporary Signs: Portable and temporary signs that are nonconforming shall be altered to comply with the provisions of this Chapter or removed within 90 days after the effective date of this Chapter.
(g) Administration: The Zoning Inspector shall make every reasonable effort to identify all the nonconforming signs within the Village. The administrator shall keep complete records of all communications and other actions taken with respect to such nonconforming signs.
(Ord. 1166. Passed 9-24-01.)