A.
Notification of nonconformity. After the
enactment of this Code, the Administrator shall, as soon as practicable,
survey the City for signs which do not conform to the requirements
of this Code.
(1)
Upon determination that a sign is nonconforming,
the Administrator shall use reasonable effort to so notify either
personally or in writing the user or owner of the property on which
the sign is located of the following:
(2)
Failing determination of the sign owner,
user, or owner of the property on which the sign is located, the notice
may be affixed in a conspicuous place to the sign or to the business
premises with which the sign is associated.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
B.
Signs Eligible for Characterization as
"Legal Nonconforming." Any sign located within the City limits on
the date of adoption of this Code or located in an area annexed to
the City thereafter, which does not conform with the provisions of
this Code, is eligible for characterization as a "legal nonconforming"
sign and is permitted to continue as provided in this article, provided
it also meets the following requirements:
(1)
The sign was covered by a sign permit or
variance on the date of adoption of this Code if one was required
under applicable law or ordinance;
(2)
If no sign permit was required under applicable
law for the sign in question, the sign was in all respects in compliance
with applicable law or ordinance on the date of adoption of this Code.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
C.
Loss of legal nonconforming status. A legal
nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming
designation if:
(1)
The sign is altered in any way in structure
or copy (except for changeable copy signs and normal maintenance),
which tends to or increases nonconformity to the sign with the requirements
of this Code; or
(2)
The sign is relocated to a position making
it less in compliance with the requirements of this Code; or
(3)
The sign is replaced, so as to increase
its nonconformity.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
Nothing in this article shall relieve
the owner or user of a legal nonconforming sign or owner of the property
on which the legal nonconforming sign is located from the provisions
of this Code provided, however, that any repainting, cleaning and
other normal maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall
not modify the sign structure or copy in any way which makes it more
nonconforming.
