(a) Any sign that was lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this code, or amendment thereto, that does not conform to the provisions herein, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign and may remain on a lot of record except as qualified in this subsection. No legal nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, extended, structurally altered, or reconstructed in any manner, except as allowed for in this section, and the nonconforming structure regulations in Chapter 1115: Nonconformities.
(b) A nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its nonconforming designation and must be brought into compliance with these regulations or be removed if:
(1) The sign is structurally altered or replaced, but not including the updating of sign copy without any structural changes to the sign cabinet or the changing of a sign face when the sign is specifically designed for changeable copy (electronic or manual);
(2) The sign is relocated, except signs that are required to be moved because of public right-of-way improvements;
(3) If the nonconforming sign is no longer an on-premise sign;
(4) The sign is a legally nonconforming temporary sign that is still in place more than one calendar year from the effective date of this code;
(5) The sign is damaged to an extent of greater than fifty percent (50%) of the estimated replacement value;
(6) The sign is damaged to an extent of less than fifty percent (50%) of the estimated replacement value but is not repaired within sixty (60) days after it is damaged; or
(7) The sign creates a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or to adjoining properties.
(c) Nothing in this section shall relieve the owner or user of a nonconforming sign or owner of the property on which the nonconforming sign is located from compliance with the provisions of these regulations regarding safety, maintenance, and repair of signs, provided however, that any repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall not modify the sign structure in any way. All nonconforming signs shall be maintained properly and shall be subject to Section 1113.11.
(Ord. 2024-032. Passed 7-22-24.)