§ 11.9. Nonconforming Conditions.

11.9.1. Conditions. Any sign that is not specifically permitted, or that does not comply with all provisions of this Ordinance, yet which existed and was maintained as such, as of the effective date of this Ordinance, shall be considered a nonconforming sign.

11.9.2. Alterations. A nonconforming sign shall not, after the effective date of this Ordinance, be enlarged, structurally altered, or extended unless such sign shall be made to comply with all the provisions of this Ordinance. Sign faces may be replaced on a nonconforming sign, but no change may be made in the technology of a nonconforming sign unless such sign is made to comply with all of the provisions of this Article.

For purposes of this section, prohibited changes in technology include but are not necessarily limited to: conversion of a single-faced sign to a tri-vision sign; addition of electronic message board technology to a sign; addition of any other form of changeable copy technology - manual, mechanical or electronic - to a sign; conversion from internally lighted to externally lighted or vice versa; or addition of exposed bulbs.

A nonconforming sign may not be replaced by another nonconforming sign. Minor repairs and maintenance of nonconforming signs, such as repainting and electrical repairs, shall be permitted. However, no changes in the location, size, or shape of any nonconforming sign shall be permitted except to make the sign comply with all provisions of this Ordinance.

11.9.3. Compliance. The Department shall require all nonconforming signs to be removed or made to conform to all provisions of this Ordinance, by the owner of the property upon which the sign is located, upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

1.

Damage or deterioration of the sign to the extent that the Department Official or its authorized agent determines that the sign is structurally unsound.

2.

Any proposed alteration or repairs to a sign that would prolong the useful life of the sign or that would involve an expenditure of more than fifty (50) percent of the original cost of the sign.

3.

Within ten (10) years from the effective date of this ordinance; or if a business with a nonconforming sign has a written plan on file in the Department to replace the nonconforming sign within fifteen (15) years of the effective date of this ordinance. A written sign replacement plan must include site plan, sign dimensions, sign materials, and location. However, this shall not apply to nonconforming neighborhood signs existing on or prior to the effective date of these regulations. Such nonconforming neighborhood signs shall still be subject to Paragraphs 1 and 2 immediately above.

4.

For any message board on which the message is changed electronically, to achieve compliance with the requirements of §11.5.1 by January 1, 2011.

5.

Where there is any application for a permit for a new or replacement permanent sign on the same site as the nonconforming sign, except that this provision shall not apply to integrated business centers as defined herein.