1337.07 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.

   (a)    Determination of Legal Nonconformity. Existing signs that do not conform to the provisions of this chapter shall be designated as "legal nonconforming signs" provided that the Zoning Commissioner determines such signs are properly maintained and in no way endanger the public, and such signs were installed in conformance with a valid permit or variance and complied with all applicable laws on the date of the adoption of this code.

(Ord. 044-2008. Passed 3-10-08.)

   (b)    Loss of Legal Nonconformity. A legal nonconforming sign shall lose its designation if the sign is relocated or replaced, the structure or size of the sign is altered in any way, or the sign is abandoned pursuant to Section 1337.08. This does not refer to change of permanent copy or normal maintenance. The Building and Zoning Commissioner shall permit businesses in Commercial Districts as provided in Section 1337.05 (c) and in Residential Districts as provided in Section 1337.05 (b) (10) to utilize electronic message centers as defined in Section 1337.02 (q)(2). Such an allowance shall not be considered an alteration resulting in the loss of legal nonconformity, so long as the change does not increase the overall size of the nonconforming sign, or provide an electronic message center display area that exceeds the square footage that would be allowed on a conforming sign in that location, and meets all other provisions related to electronic message centers provided herein for conforming signs. All legal nonconforming signs are subject to all requirements of this code regarding safety, maintenance, and repair. However, any nonconforming sign that suffers damage or deterioration requiring alteration or replacement of any kind that would not meet the requirements of this chapter, as determined by the Building and Zoning Commissioner, must be brought into conformance with this code or removed.

      (1)   Off-site signs may utilize electronic message centers as defined in Section 1337.02 (q)(2) and changeable copy as defined in Section 1337.02 (e) and shall be limited to 60% of the existing sign display surface.

         A.   Owners of off-site signs may request the Building and Zoning Commissioner for a reduction in height without losing non-conforming status and such request shall be granted or denied within sixty (60) days.

      (2)   Billboards may utilize electronic message centers only if the sign area is no more than or reduced to 360 square feet. Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, any billboard which is 360 square feet or less may utilize 100 percent of the sign display area for an electronic message center.
(Ord. 027-2011. Passed 2-28-11.)