(a) Subject to the remaining restrictions of this chapter, nonconforming signs that were otherwise lawful on the effective date of this chapter may continue to be used until they are otherwise removed for any reason.
(b) No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign. No nonconforming sign may be illuminated.
(c) A nonconforming sign may be moved or replaced in order to bring the nonconforming sign into complete conformity with this chapter.
(d) If a nonconforming sign is destroyed by natural causes, it may not thereafter be repaired, reconstructed or replaced except in conformity with all the provisions of this chapter, and the remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the land. For purposes of this section, a nonconforming sign is "destroyed" if damaged to an extent that the cost of repairing the sign to its former stature or replacing it with an equivalent sign equals or exceeds the value (tax value if listed for tax purposes) of the sign so damaged.
(e) The message of a nonconforming sign may be changed so long as this does not create a different violation of this chapter (for example, by creating an off-premises sign under circumstances where such a sign would not be allowed).
(f) Subject to the other provisions of this section, nonconforming signs may be repaired and/or renovated provided the cost of such work performed within any twelve month period does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the tax value as listed in the office of the Auditor of Fulton County, Ohio, for such sign.
(g) If a nonconforming sign, other than billboard advertising a business, service commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed within thirty days after such abandonment by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.
(h) If a nonconforming billboard remains blank for a continuous period of 180 days, that billboard shall be deemed abandoned and shall, within thirty days after such abandonment be altered to comply with this chapter or be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other person having control over such sign. For purposes of this section, a sign is "blank" if:
(1) It advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted; or
(2) The advertising message it displays becomes illegal in whole or substantial part; or
(3) The advertising copy paid for by a party other than the sign owner or promoting an interest other than the rental of the sign has been removed.
(Ord. 1993-12. Passed 7-19-93.)