(A) Non-conforming signs may continue to exist, subject to the following provisions.
(1) Any sign that was approved under previous regulations, or for which a variance was granted, shall either be removed or brought into compliance with this subchapter as a condition of approval of design review on the appurtenant property.
(2) Temporary and portable signs that are not in conformance with the provisions of this subchapter shall be regarded as non-conforming and shall be removed within 90 days of the effective date of this subchapter.
(3) No additions or enlargements may be made to a non-conforming sign, except those additions or enlargements that are required by law.
(4) A sign that is moved, replaced or structurally altered shall be brought into conformance with this section; except that:
(a) Non-conforming signs may be repaired and maintained and may have the sign copy changed. A sign may be removed from its sign structure for repair or maintenance if a permit is obtained under this section.
(b) Non-conforming signs may be structurally altered when the alteration is necessary for structural safety; and
(c) Non-conforming signs may be reconstructed if required to be moved for construction or repair of public works or public utilities and the sign reconstruction is completed within 90 days after the completion of the public works or public utility construction or repair.
(5) A non-conforming sign that is damaged shall not be repaired if the estimated expense to repair the sign exceeds 50% of the replacement cost of the sign as of the day before the sign was damaged. A damaged non-conforming sign that cannot be repaired shall be removed within 90 days of the date the sign was damaged. As used herein, “non-conforming sign” includes the sign structure, foundation and supports.
(6) Whenever a non-conforming sign is damaged and the estimated cost to repair the sign is 50% or less of its replacement value as of the day before the sign was damaged, it may be repaired and restored to the condition it was in before it was damaged and may continue to be used as a non-conforming sign; provided that, such repairs and restoration are started within 90 days of the date the sign was damaged and are diligently pursued thereafter.
(7) Whenever repair and/or restoration to a damaged non-conforming sign is not started within 90 days of the date the sign is damaged or is diligently pursued once started, the sign shall be deemed abandoned and shall be removed by the property owner.
(8) Abandoned signs shall not be permitted as non-conforming signs.
(9) No non-conforming sign shall be permitted to remain unless properly repaired and maintained as provided in this section. A sign maintained in violation of this provision shall be removed as provided in division (A)(1) above. Any non-conforming sign that is determined by the building official to be an unsafe sign shall be removed as provided by division (A)(5) above. Any non-conforming sign determined by the City Manager to be an abandoned sign shall be removed as provided in division (A)(7) above.
(B) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the maintenance of any sign or regular manual changes of sign copy on a sign.
(C) This section shall not require the removal or modification of a sign if the sign is in good condition and located on a historically significant structure or object as recognized in the Comprehensive Plan.
(D) Any non-conforming signs located at tax lots 1N312AB00400, 1N301DC06300 or 1N3120000200, that were approved under previous regulations, or for which a variance was granted, and which was installed prior to 4-1-2013 will be permitted until such time that all or a portion of the sign is removed or in poor repair, for any reason, including acts of God. Highway signs cannot be altered in physical dimensions.
(Prior Code, § 16.080.055) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019)