CHAPTER 7
SIGNS
ARTICLE 7. NONCONFORMANCY
SECTION:
§3233 NONCONFORMING SIGNS
A. All permanent signs and sign structures which were erected and in existence prior to the effective date of this ordinance or any amendment thereto, and which were at the time of such erection or establishment in compliance with all then applicable statutes and ordinances, but which do not meet requirements of this ordinance, shall be permitted to remain in existence notwithstanding their nonconforming character, providing that such signs and sign structures remain in full compliance with Chapter 7, Article 8 of this division, and providing further that the sign does not require any additional permits under Chapter 7, Article 3 of this division or removal under Chapter 7, Article 5 of this division. The provisions of this paragraph will apply to any and all areas upon annexation.
B. All temporary signs and temporary sign structures which were erected and in existence prior to the effective date of this ordinance, but which do not meet the requirements of this ordinance, shall be permitted to remain in existence notwithstanding their nonconforming character for a period of sixty (60) days from the effective date of this ordinance. Thereafter all such signs and sign structures shall be in violation of this ordinance and subject to removal as in the case of any other illegal structure or use, subject to the exceptions set forth herein.
C. All signs or sign structures which, at the time of adoption of this ordinance, whirl, blink, rotate, move or are animated shall be removed or cease to whirl, blink, rotate, move or be animated within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this ordinance.
D. All signs or sign structures associated with a business shall be made to conform to this ordinance upon sale or transfer of said business, change of business name or other situation requiring modification to sign or sign structure provided if the only change is the sale or transfer of business, said sign shall be removed upon the expiration of one year from the date of said sale or transfer. The City Council finds that this is a reasonable amortization period because all signs which must be removed under this Section have been in existence for at least three (3) years prior to the effective date of this ordinance.
E. Ordinary maintenance and associated minor repairs may be made to any nonconforming sign providing no structural alterations or design changes are made. Other repairs, alterations, or design changes may be permitted; provided, that a use permit shall be first secured in each case and that such repairs, alterations or design changes comply all other provisions of this Chapter 7. (Ord. 756, §2, adopted 1981; amd. by Ord. 822, §1, adopted 1983; Ord. 1148, §§2(2, 3), adopted 2014)