(1)
Legal Nonconforming Sign. Any sign lawfully erected prior to November 18, 2008, which exceeds the limitations of this chapter shall be deemed legal, but nonconforming, and may continue to exist until made conforming or abandoned. Legal nonconforming signs are an accessory structure to the principal structure or use on the lot and shall become illegal by the occurrence of the earliest of any of the following events:
(a)
Any modification of the appearance of the sign, except for normal maintenance necessary to retain its original appearance;
(b)
Removal of the sign, except for when done for purposes of normal maintenance, in which case the sign must be replaced within 14 calendar days after removal for maintenance;
(c)
Destruction, remodeling, repair or other construction related to the sign or of the building having a business subject of advertising on said sign caused by deterioration, fire, calamity or other event, to an extent that the cost of said remodeling, repair or other construction work exceeds 50 percent of the original cost of said building or sign subject of such work;
(d)
The sign or any support structure of the sign is allowed to deteriorate to a condition that the structure is rendered unusable and is not repaired or restored within six months after written notice to the property owner that the sign is unusable and the nonconforming sign will be lost if the sign is not repaired or restored within six months; or
(e)
A change of an occupancy or classification of use is made and such change results in a higher intensity of use on the lot or in the building on which a legal nonconforming sign was located.
(2)
Removal. Upon becoming nonconforming and illegal, any nonconforming sign shall immediately be removed or made to comply with all requirements of this chapter. Nonconforming signs which are not removed shall be subject to the enforcement provisions found in Article V of this chapter.
(3)
Unlawful Signs. Any sign unlawfully erected prior to November 18, 2008, shall be deemed to be nonconforming and shall be immediately removed.
(Code 1997 § 12-323-101; Ord. 08-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 12-04 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 16-08 § 1 (Exh. A))