(a) Existing signs which do not conform to the specific provisions of this chapter may be eligible for the designation "legal non-conforming," provided that:
(1) The Building Inspector determines that such signs are properly maintained and do not endanger the public. In such respect, the Building Inspector shall follow the advice of the City Engineer or the Police Chief in determining what constitutes an unsafe sign.
(2) The sign was in existence within the City prior to the adoption of this chapter, was in an area annexed by the City subsequent to this chapter, or was located in a zoned use area whose zoning classification was subsequently changed.
(b) It is not the intent of this chapter to encourage the continued use of non- conforming signs.
All non-conforming signs, determined by the Building Inspector to constitute a safety or traffic hazard, shall, upon the advice of the City Engineer or Police Chief, as the case may be, be brought into compliance within five days after written notice is received from the Building Inspector.
(c) A non-conforming sign shall not be relocated or replaced unless it is brought into compliance with this chapter. However, it may receive normal maintenance and copy changes without loss of its legal non-conformity status.
(d) In the case where a non-conforming sign is damaged to the extent of seventy- five percent or more of either the structural or replacement value of the sign, the sign will be removed or brought into compliance. Where the damage is less than seventy-five percent, the sign shall be repaired or removed within thirty days.
(Ord. 89-8. Passed 12-4-89.)