(a) Political Signs advertising candidates for office or promoting the passage or defeat of a measure in a ballot or ordinance and laws being considered by a legislative body. To be exempt political signs must:
(1) Be erected and maintained entirely on private property and only with the consent of the owner,
(2) Not be located on utility poles, trees, rocks or other natural features,
(3) Be limited in area to the maximum allowable sign area permitted in the district in which it is erected.
(4) Be removed by the owner of the property or owner of the sign within thirty days after the election or legislative action for which the sign was directed.
(b) Instructional signs that are clearly intended for instructional purposes shall be permitted in addition to the maximum number and area of signs, and as needed, provided such signs comply with the following:
(1) The signs are no larger than two (2) square feet.
(2) The number of instructional signs on the site is the minimum necessary to serve the instructional purpose.
(3) The signs are not located or designed to be legible or serve to attract attention beyond the perimeter of the site.
(c) Nonconforming Signs. Signs lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this ordinance, and any subsequent amendments, which do not meet the standards of this article may be maintained except as hereafter provided.
(1) No nonconforming sign shall:
A. Be changed to another nonconforming sign.
B. Be structurally altered so as to prolong the life of the sign or so as to change the shape, size, type or design of the sign.
C. Be re-established or maintained after the activity, business or usage to which it relates has been discontinued for ninety (90) days or longer.
D. Be repaired or erected after being damaged if the repair or erection of the sign would cost more than fifty percent (50%) of the cost of an identical new sign.
(d) No person shall be required to remove a sign which was erected in compliance with this article if said sign becomes nonconforming due to a change occurring after the effective date of this amendment, in the location of buildings, streets or other signs which change is beyond the control of the owner of the sign and the premises on which it is located.
(e) If the owner of a sign or the premises on which a sign is located changes the location of a building, property line or sign, or changes the use of a building so that any sign on the premises is rendered nonconforming, such sign must be removed or made to conform to this chapter.
(f) Any nonconforming sign shall be removed upon the change occupancy or use of the premises upon which the sign is located. A change of occupancy or use is a discontinuance of permitted use and the substitution of a use of a different kind or class. Change of occupancy is not intended to include a change of tenants or proprietors unless accompanied by a change in the type of use. (Ord. 2023-02. Passed 4-17-23.)