All uses, structures, lots and signs that do not conform to
the regulations of the zoning district in which they are located or
other regulation of this chapter, but were in lawful existence prior
to the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto, shall
be known and regarded as nonconforming, and the following regulations
shall apply to them.
The lawful application of a use, structure, lot or sign existing
at the time of adoption of this chapter or any amendment thereto,
or authorized by a building permit issued prior thereto, may be continued
in the form evident at the time of adoption of this chapter although
such use does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.
Existing nonconforming signs, signboards, billboards or advertising
devices may be continued, subject to the following:
A. Maintenance. A nonconforming sign may be repainted, repaired (including
lighting), or modernized, provided that such repairs or modification
do not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
B. Alteration or replacement. No nonconforming sign shall be physically
enlarged or replaced. Nonconforming signs, once removed, may be replaced
only by conforming signs. A nonconforming sign may be moved, provided
that moving such sign would eliminate the nonconformity.
C. The message of a nonconforming sign may be changed, as long as it
does not create any new nonconformity.
D. Restoration. Any sign which has been involuntarily destroyed by fire,
explosion, windstorm or other similar active cause, or legally condemned,
shall be replaced with a conforming sign.
E. Discontinuance. Whenever any nonconforming use, structure, or lot, or a combination of use, structure and lot, ceases as prescribed in §
290-1503D, all signs accessory to such use shall be deemed abandoned and shall be removed within three calendar months from the date such use terminates.
Any owner of a lawful nonconforming use, structure or lot may
register the status of same with the Borough Zoning Officer for purposes
of establishing the rights conferred upon nonconformities under this
chapter. Should the Zoning Officer refuse to accept and register the
nonconformity as lawful, the property owner may appeal such decision
to the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the Municipalities
Planning Code.