Signs and sign structures in existence prior to or on the effective date of this chapter which violate or otherwise do not conform to the provisions of this chapter and which were erected in accordance with a Village permit shall be deemed legal nonconforming signs. All such legal nonconforming signs and structures shall be maintained in accordance with this sign chapter.
(a) Loss of Nonconforming Status. It is the intent of this section that legal nonconforming signs eventually be brought into compliance with the provisions and regulations of this chapter. As a result a legal nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status and therefore must be brought into conformance with this chapter or be removed if the sign is enlarged, relocated or replaced; or if it is part of an establishment which discontinues operation for thirty consecutive days; or if it is structurally damaged to an extent greater than one half of its estimated replacement value. Similarly any legal nonconforming advertising structure so damaged must be brought into compliance or be removed.
(b) Maintenance and Repair. Any legal nonconforming sign may be painted, cleaned or maintained and structural or electrical parts may be repaired or restored to a safe condition provided the maintenance or repair does not alter, change, enlarge or relocate the existing sign or sign structures.
(c) Limitation on Reconstruction. A nonconforming sign or part thereof damaged or deteriorated to an extent exceeding fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost shall not be reconstructed or replaced unless made to conform to the regulations of this Code. For a nonconforming sign damaged by a single incident (such as a storm) to an extent less than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost, reconstruction is permitted only if such work is begun within two months of the incident and is completed within four months of the incident.
(d) Temporary Signs. All nonconforming temporary signs including portable signs shall be removed or made to comply with the regulations of this Code within five days after issuance of a violation by the Village.
(Ord. 04-965. Passed 7-6-04.)