§ 109-4. Nonconforming sign; compliance.

It is recognized that signs exist within the zoning districts which were lawful before the ordinance from which this chapter is derived was enacted, which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived or future amendments. It is the intent of this chapter that a nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as grounds for adding to a site another sign or use prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is further the intent of this chapter to permit legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, or amendments thereto, to continue as legal nonconforming signs provided such signs are safe, are maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed, subject however, to the following provisions:

(1)

No sign shall be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity;

(2)

If a sign or sign structure is destroyed by any means to an extent greater than 50 percent of its replacement cost and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the sign or structure was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed, except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter; and any structure remaining shall be completely removed;

(3)

If a sign or sign structure is moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved;

(4)

No existing sign devoted to a use not permitted by the zoning code in the zoning district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended or moved, except in changing the sign to a sign permitted in the zoning district in which is it located;

(5)

When a building loses its nonconforming status all signs devoted to the building shall be removed and all signs painted directly on the structure shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize with the building.

(Ord. No. 380, § 1(18.16), 9-24-2007)