§ 17.40.690. Nonconforming signs.

The following provisions shall apply to legally permitted signs that were in compliance with all applicable regulations in effect at the time of installation, but are made nonconforming by the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title.

A.

Any sign prohibited by Chapter 17.32, including structures, posts, cables, bases to ground level and electrical wiring, shall be completely removed within sixty days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.

B.

An existing on-premises sign may remain exempt from full compliance with the provisions of this title provided the sign does not obstruct a "visibility area" as defined by Chapter 17.20, Article III of this code, is maintained in good condition at all times, and is not abandoned. If qualifying for exemption in all other respects, a sign obstructing a visibility area may be raised in its current location to conform with the requirements of Chapter 17.20, Article III and remain exempt. An existing sign obstructing a visibility area in a CS and CS-A or CL and CL-A district is exempted if, without structural modification, the bottom edge of that sign has a minimum vertical ground clearance of eight feet or the front edge of the sign is at least ten feet from the front property line.

C.

A sign shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this title if at any time the sign is altered, repaired, restored or rebuilt to the extent that the cost exceeds fifty percent of the estimated replacement cost of the sign (in current dollar value). If the alteration or repair is caused by involuntary damage or casualty, or is desired by the owner of the business existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, the fifty-percent standard will not apply and the sign may be altered or repaired to any extent. All permits within any six consecutive calendar months shall be aggregated for purposes of measuring the fifty percent standard.

D.

For single-tenant lots, a nonconforming sign shall be brought into compliance with this title when the principal land use on the lot is changed to a different use as described by the district land use table.

E.

For multi-tenant lots, each tenant may replace, alter, repair or restore an associated sign of a size not to exceed fifteen percent of the facade area of the building occupied by the tenant. Use of this provision must be noted on the overall signage plan.

(Ord. BL2015-1153 § 15, 2015; Ord. 96-555 § 10.14(F), 1997)