(a) Maintenance of Nonconforming Signs. Nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to Section 770.08 of this chapter, and may continue until such sign is required to be removed as set forth in this section.
(b) Alteration and Removal of Nonconforming Signs.
(1) Nonconforming signs shall be removed and any subsequent modification or replacement, excluding maintenance pursuant to Section 770.08 of this chapter, shall conform to all requirements of this chapter:
A. When more than 50 percent of the value of the sign has been destroyed or has been taken down;
B. When the use which the nonconforming sign is accessory to is vacant for 90 consecutive days, which shall then be removed by the owner of the premises within ten days after it is deemed vacant or abandoned;
C. A nonconforming sign that exceeds the height, size or spacing limitations by more than ten percent, or that is nonconforming in any other way except as may be otherwise exempted in this chapter shall, within five years from the date of the enactment of this chapter, be altered to comply with the provisions of this chapter or be removed; and
D. Existing nonconforming monument signs, as of the passage of this chapter shall be permitted.
(2) A nonconforming sign shall not be altered, modified or reconstructed other than to comply with this chapter except that:
A. When the existing use has new ownership, which results in a change in the name of the use of business on the property, or when the space is reoccupied by a similar use and the new occupant requires no external building or site renovation, then the message of a nonconforming sign may be changed.
B. An existing sign pursuant to this division may be changed by replacing a sign panel or by repainting a sign face only. Such alterations shall not require changes to the structure, framing or erection or relocation of the sign unless such changes conform to this chapter.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this section, nonconforming signs may be repaired and renovated so long as the cost of such work does not exceed within any 12 month period 50 percent of the value of such sign.
(Ord. 15-01. Passed 9-22-03.)