It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that all sign structures located on their property be maintained in a proper manner conducive to the health, welfare and beauty of the city of Warr Acres and to comply with the ordinances of the city. While property owners may authorize tenants to erect and pay for signs, this shall not relieve the owner of the property of their responsibility to ultimately be in compliance with this code.
A. Regular maintenance of all legally permitted signs shall be permitted without the requirement that a new permit be issued.
B. The message or advertising copy of a sign may be altered, including replacement of sign panels, without obtaining a permit, provided that there are no structural or electrical alterations or additions.
C. Upon the closing, relocation or eviction of a business with an existing sign, the property owner must, within ninety (90) days, update the sign in one of the following manners:
1. Cover or replace sign face with a suitable, similar material, resulting in a blank sign face. The sign may be updated to indicate that the location is for lease or for sale provided the sign copy is constructed of similar material.
2. Remove the sign structure and/or module completely.
3. Once the sign face has been covered or replaced or the sign structure has been removed following the closing, relocation or eviction of a business, a new permit shall be required to install a new sign or sign face.
D. All sign structures must be maintained in a condition that is aesthetically appealing and stylistically cohesive with the area and neighboring businesses and signs. All cracks, dents, splits or chipped material as well as any rust, chips and cracked or faded paint (including faded or weather damaged sign copies) must be repaired.
E. Backlit or front lit lighting for signs must be maintained at least seventy five percent (75%) of original illumination when lit. Signs with less than seventy five percent (75%) of illumination must be repaired to comply with the seventy five percent (75%) illumination or may be disconnected or switched off to maintain compliance until maintenance is completed.
F. Signs and structures which contain a condition which is in violation of any provision listed herein must be repaired or covered within sixty (60) days of receipt of notice of a violation from the city unless the condition was caused by an act of God at which point the owner will be provided with one hundred twenty (120) days to repair or cover the condition. In the event that the owner (or tenant with owner's permission) wishes to repair or replace the violating condition with a new structure or material not originally approved by the city, the owner (or tenant with owner's permission) will apply for a new sign permit. The new permit will be processed but any denial thereof shall not be construed as revoking the original sign permit. (Ord. 1147, 2015)