(A) Nonconforming Signs: Every sign, canopy, or awning legally erected pursuant to a Village permit and which fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter due to a subsequent amendment to this chapter, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign.
(B) Authority To Continue Existing Legal Nonconformities: Any sign, canopy or awning deemed to be a nonconforming sign under subsection (A) of this section may be continued only in accordance with the following regulations:
1. Repairs And Alterations: Ordinary repairs and nonstructural alterations may be made to a nonconforming sign. No structural alteration shall be made in, to or upon such nonconforming sign so as to prolong the life of the sign, except those required by law, or except to make the sign conform to the regulations of this chapter.
2. Additions, Enlargements, Replacement: A nonconforming sign shall not be added to or enlarged in any manner (including the replacement of the sign copy), except to make the sign conform to the regulations of this chapter.
3. Moving: No nonconforming sign shall be moved in whole or in part to any other location unless said sign, and the use thereof, is made to conform to all the regulations of this chapter.
4. Restoration Of Damaged Nonconforming Signs: A nonconforming sign that is destroyed or damaged by fire or other casualty to the extent that the cost of restoration will exceed fifty percent (50%) of the original cost of said sign, shall not be restored unless it shall be made to conform to all the regulations of this chapter, or any subsequent amendment thereto. In the event that such damage or destruction is less than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of the original cost of said sign, no repairs or construction shall be made unless such restoration is started within one year from the date of the partial destruction and is diligently prosecuted to completion.
5. Discontinuance Of Use Of Nonconforming Sign: Where the business use or identity associated with the nonconforming sign or the owner of the business use or identity associated with the nonconforming sign terminates or changes, such termination or change of use or ownership of the business use shall operate as a termination of the nonconforming sign, and the use of said sign thereafter shall conform to the regulations of this chapter or be removed.
a. 30-Day Extension. The Zoning Administrator may grant one or more 30-day extensions for the conformance or removal of a nonconforming sign for a business use no longer in operation in the event that a new business occupancy application has been submitted and the property or business owner provides evidence that they are actively working to remove or replace the nonconforming sign. The extensions should not total more than 180 days.
b. Removal. All nonconforming signs that have been discontinued due to a business closing, relocation or abandonment for a continuous period of six (6) months shall not be renewed and shall be removed or modified to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
6. Change Of Copy Of Nonconforming Sign: No changes shall be made to the content or text of a nonconforming sign unless the sign is made to conform to the regulations of this chapter. (Ord. 2874, 4-16-2015; amd. Ord. 4048, 2-16-2023)