(a) Any sign that was lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this code, or amendment thereto, that does not conform to the provisions herein, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign and may remain on a lot of record except as qualified in this subsection. No legal nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, extended, structurally altered, or reconstructed in any manner, except as allowed for in this section and the nonconforming structure regulations in Section 1131.06 shall not apply.
(b) Legal nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to Section 1131.09, and may continue until such sign is required to be removed as set forth in this chapter.
(c) A legal nonconforming sign shall not be structurally altered, relocated, or replaced unless it is brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter.
(d) If a sign face and/or its support is damaged to the extent where the repair cost exceeds 50 percent of the replacement cost of the sign, the sign shall be removed or brought into compliance with this chapter. If the repair costs do not exceed 50 percent of the replacement cost of the sign, the sign may be repaired, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator.
(e) A legal nonconforming sign shall immediately lose it legal nonconforming status, and therefore shall be brought into conformance with this chapter or removed, when any of the following occur:
(1) The size or shape of the sign is changed;
(2) The building to which the sign is accessory is renovated or remodeled to the extent that more than 50% of the gross floor area is removed or replaced, or otherwise affected by renovation or remodeling;
(3) The sign is removed voluntarily;
(4) The sign is damaged by more than 50 % of the replacement cost as stated in Section 1127.12(d); or
(5) The building is expanded and the total sign area permitted for the expanded building is more than 50% greater than the existing sign area.
(Ord. 2018-009. Passed 5-7-18.)