Any sign located in or projecting over a public right of way at the time of the effective date of this Code which was subject to removal or relocation at the owner's expense, pursuant to a permit or other ordinance of the City, shall be removed by the owner or altered at the owner's expense to comply with the regulations of this Code if as the result of, or after completion of, a street improvement project, such sign does not or would not comply with the provisions of this Code.
(1952 Code § 43-10-5)