(a) Any sign lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date, but which does not conform to the provisions of this section, is a legal nonconforming sign during the amortization period. A lawfully erected and maintained sign that exceeds the area or height regulations, as set forth in the provisions of this section, by five (5) percent or less shall not be deemed nonconforming on the basis of area or height.
(1) Every on-site sign that becomes legally non-conforming upon the effective date shall not be required to be removed, except as provided for in California Business & Professions Code sections 5492, 5493, 5495, and 5497. Such signs will be allowed within the amortization period, subject to subsections (c) and (d), below.
(2) Every off-site sign that becomes legally non-conforming upon the effective date shall not be required to be removed, except as provided for in California Business and Professions Code sections 5412, 5412.1, 5412.2, and 5412.3. Such signs will be allowed within the amortization period, subject to subsections (c) and (d), below.
(b) Any sign that was not lawfully erected prior to the effective date is an illegal nonconforming sign. An illegal nonconforming sign must be removed in accordance with the provisions of this section that apply to legal nonconforming signs that have exceeded the authorized amortization period.
(c) No legal nonconforming sign shall be altered, relocated, replaced, enlarged or reconstructed, except in such a manner as to cause the sign to conform fully to this section. A legal nonconforming sign may be maintained or the advertising copy changed without violating this provision.
(d) A legal nonconforming sign destroyed or damaged to the extent of fifty (50) percent or greater of its value as of the date of such destruction or damage ceases to be nonconforming and shall be replaced, removed or repaired in full conformance with the provisions of this section.
(e) Unless a longer period is required by California law, all legal non-conforming signs shall have a useful life and legal life of fifteen (15) years, calculated from the effective date. Upon expiration of the amortization period, or the occurrence of any of the events set forth in subsections (c) and (d), above, the property owner shall remove the sign within thirty (30) days without compensation. If a property owner fails to remove the nonconforming sign following the expiration of the amortization period, the County may proceed with abatement procedures or other legal methods to ensure the prompt removal of the sign, and the County’s removal and enforcement costs may be charged against the owner. Nothing in this section precludes a property owner from voluntarily conforming a nonconforming sign at any time before the end of the amortization period.
(Ord. 1445, eff. August 14, 2014)