§ 42-7. Repair, maintenance and alteration of a sign face on legal non-conforming signs.
(a)
Repairs and maintenance.
(1)
Unless otherwise prohibited or regulated by this chapter, a legal non-conforming sign may be maintained and repaired without a sign permit even though such repair will not bring the sign into compliance with this chapter.
(2)
Legal non-conforming signs which have been damaged or destroyed by accident or natural causes beyond normal wear and tear, or which have been required to be removed by a duly constituted governmental body may be reconstructed/repaired if the following criteria are met:
a.
The sign owner shall supply the code enforcement officer with a comparison of cost supplied by a sign manufacturer including:
1.
The cost to reconstruct/repair and install the legal non-conforming sign; and
2.
The cost to construct and install a new conforming sign of the same type.
b.
Reconstruction or repair of a legal non-conforming sign shall be allowed if the cost of this action does not exceed 60 percent of the total cost of a new conforming sign of the same type; and
c.
The permit required for such reconstruction/repair is applied for within six months of the date of damage.
(b)
Alteration of sign face.
(1)
The sign face or copy of a legal non-conforming sign may be changed to reflect a modification in the company or individual marketing policy only if the following criteria are met:
a.
The sign may not be reconstructed or relocated; and
b.
There shall be no increase in the size or height of the sign.
(2)
New tenants, uses, or entities shall bring signs into compliance with this chapter. Replacement of the sign face of a legal non-conforming sign reflecting a new business name at such location shall not be permitted.
(3)
The alteration of a sign face or copy on a legal non-conforming sign requires a sign permit and payment of the requisite fee.
(Code 2003, § 30-387; Ord. No. 11-13, § 1(exh. A), 12-5-2011; Ord. No. 12-02, §§ 1, 2, 4-19-2012; altered in 2018 recodification)