1250.12 NON-CONFORMING AND UNSAFE SIGNS AND NUISANCES.
A. Non-Conforming Signs Erected With a Permit Are Deemed Conforming. All signs which were installed with a permit prior to the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance shall be deemed conforming with the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance until they become nuisances or unsafe signs as described in subsections E and F below.
B. Special Regulations Regarding Pole Signs. Pole signs in existence on the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance may continue to be displayed for a period of ten (10) years from the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance, or until the sign is damaged or destroyed in excess of twenty percent (20%) of its replacement value.
C. Removal of Signs Erected Without a Permit. Any sign erected without a permit shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of a notice of violation from the Zoning Administrator. If such sign is not removed within such forty-eight (48) hour period, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to cause the sign to be removed. Any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises on which the sign is found.
D. Maintenance of Signs Deemed Conforming. Normal maintenance of signs subject to this section, including necessary nonstructural repairs and incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the non-conforming features of the sign, is permitted. However, no structural alterations, enlargement or extensions shall be made in a sign subject to this Section unless the alteration will result in eliminating the nonconforming features of the sign. If a sign subject to this Section is damaged or destroyed by any means to an extent equal to or exceeding sixty percent (60%) of its replacement value at that time, the sign may not be rebuilt or used thereafter unless it conforms to all of the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
E. Signs Deemed Nuisances. Any sign, retractable canopy or awning, whether existing on or erected after the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance, which advertises a business no longer being conducted or a product no longer being sold in or from the premises to which the sign relates, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and such sign shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises upon which such sign is found. Removal shall be effected within thirty (30) days after written notice from the Zoning Administrator. If such a sign is not removed after such thirty (30) day period, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to cause the sign to be removed forthwith. Any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is found.
F. Unsafe Signs. If the Zoning Administrator or Building Commissioner finds that any sign, retractable canopy or awning is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, he or she shall give written notice to the person displaying such sign. Correction of the condition which causes the Zoning Administrator to give such notice shall be effected within ten (10) days after receipt of the notice. If such condition is not corrected after such ten (10) day period, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to cause the sign to be removed forthwith at the expense of the person displaying the sign. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to cause any sign, retractable canopy or awning to be removed summarily and without notice whenever he or she finds that such a sign, canopy or awning is an immediate peril to persons or property.