10-17-5: LIMITATION ON SIGNS:
   A.   Legal Nonconforming Signs:
      1.   "Legal nonconforming sign(s)" shall mean a sign that is lawfully existing at the time of the enactment hereof which does not conform to the regulations as specified in this title.
      2.   A legal nonconforming sign may continue to be utilized in perpetuity only in the manner and to the extent that it existed at the time of the adoption hereof or any amendment thereto.
      3.   A legal nonconforming sign may not be altered in any manner not in conformance with this title. This does not apply to the normal repair, maintenance or changing of copy on the sign, provided that structural alterations are not required as part of the repairs, maintenance, or changing of copy.
      4.   Any sign that becomes nonconforming subsequent to the effective date hereof, either by reason of annexation to the town or amendment to this title, shall be subject to the provisions of this title.
      5.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, legal nonconforming signs that are located on a parcel of property which is severed from a larger parcel of property and acquired by a public entity for public use by condemnation, purchase or dedication may be relocated on the remaining parcel without extinguishing the legal nonconforming status of that sign, provided that the nonconforming sign:
         a.   Is not increased in area or height;
         b.   Remains structurally unchanged except for reasonable repairs or alterations;
         c.   Is placed in the same relative position on the remaining property that it occupied prior to the relocation; and
         d.   Is relocated in a manner so as to comply with all applicable safety requirements.
   B.   Signs For A Legal Nonconforming Use:
      1.   New or additional signs for a nonconforming use shall not be permitted.
      2.   A nonconforming sign for a nonconforming use which ceases to be used for a period of three hundred sixty five (365) consecutive days or is suspended by a conforming use, shall be considered a prohibited sign and shall be removed or brought into conformance upon establishment of a conforming use.
   C.   Alteration Or Removal Of Nonconforming Signs:
      1.   A nonconforming sign structure shall not be reerected, relocated or replaced unless it is brought into compliance with the requirements of this title, except as provided for in the above subsection A5 of this section.
      2.   Any construction permit which invokes certificate of occupancy requirements shall specify and require that any nonconforming sign located within the boundaries of the development site authorized by said permit shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this title; provided, that if the nonconforming sign is a type of sign that is prohibited under chapter 15 of this title, it shall be removed.
      3.   Any nonconforming sign that is damaged or allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that the cost of repair or restoration is more than fifty percent (50%) of the cost of reconstruction shall either be removed or be rebuilt in full conformity with this title.
   D.   Signs Rendered Discontinued:
      1.   Sign structures which remain vacant, unoccupied, devoid of any message, or display a message pertaining to a time, event or proposal that no longer applies shall be deemed to be discontinued.
      2.   Any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of three hundred sixty five (365) consecutive days, shall be deemed to be discontinued.
      3.   A sign whose use has been deemed discontinued is prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the premises. (Ord. 03-2005, 9-6-2005)