(A) Signs not permitted. The following signs shall not be permitted, erected, or maintained in any
zoning district:
(1) Except for traffic warning devices and signs giving public service information such as, but not limited to, time, date, temperature, weather, or similar information, signs which incorporate in any manner moving, scintillating, or revolving lights, or signs with flashing lights having a change frequency of less than five seconds;
(2) Any revolving sign with a rotation frequency more than eight revolutions per minute;
(3) String lights other than holiday decorations;
(4) Any sign which obstructs free passage from one part of a roof to any other part and free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, roof opening, or other required exit way;
(5) Portable signs; and
(6) Freestanding banners, or spinners, except as the County Board may authorize temporarily for civic or non-profit organizations.
(B) Removal of signs. It is the intent of this section to recognize that the eventual elimination, as expeditiously as it is reasonable, of existing signs that are not in conformity with the provisions of this subchapter, inasmuch as subject of health, safety, and welfare as is the prohibition of new signs that would violate the provisions of this subchapter. It is also the intent of this section that any elimination of non-conforming, obsolete, unsafe, and unlawful signs shall be affected so as to avoid any unreasonable invasion of established private rights.
(1) Prohibited signs. All signs prohibited by division (A) above, except for division (A)(1) and (A)(2) above, shall be removed or made conforming within 90 days of the adoption of this subchapter. Within 90 days after adoption of this subchapter, existing, nonexempt signs shall be removed by the owner. Newly erected, prohibited signs shall be removed within seven days of the owner receiving notice from the county.
(2) Non-conforming signs. A non-conforming sign may be continued and shall be maintained in good condition, but it shall not be:
(a) Changed to another non-conforming sign;
(b) Structurally altered, except for normal maintenance and copy changes as long as maintenance does not exceed 25% of the replacement value of the sign at one time;
(c) Expanded;
(d) Re-established after damage or destruction if the estimated expense of reconstruction exceeds 50% of the appraised replacement cost as determined by the Economic Development Office; and
(e) Moved to another location unless brought into conformance.
(3) Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Economic Development Office finds that any sign regulated herein is structurally unsafe; constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment, defined as having no active copy on an outdoor advertising sign within the past 90 days or the advertisement of a business, concern, or use which has been closed for greater than 90 days; is not kept in good repair; is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it; or is unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained, the Economic Development Office shall give written notice to the permittee and/or owner thereof.
(4) Removal of signs (obsolete signs). All obsolete signs shall be removed by the property owner within 90 days after adoption of this subchapter and/or 90 days after termination of business, whichever comes first. Removal of obsolete signs shall include the supporting structure, exclusive of any building.
(5) Maintenance provision. The owner of any sign requiring a permit shall be required to maintain an exterior which is properly painted, galvanized, or otherwise treated to prevent rust and deterioration of all parts, including lighting and supports. All signs shall be required to be adequately maintained and shall not become tattered, torn, frayed, ragged, shredded, unkempt, or the like. The sign shall be repaired within 60 days following notice from the county of a violation.
(Ord. passed 5-16-2023)