2014-002 Amending Chapter 28, Signs and Billboards, of the Code of Ordinances providing for regulations applicable to temporary signs, billboards and administrative issues

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Sec. 28 -10. Nonconforming Signs; Maintenance of Existing Signs; Removal of Signs by City. (a) Nonconforming signs. (1) Legal signs existing prior to the effective date of this ordinance, which do not conform to the provisions of this chapter shall be regarded as nonconforming signs which may continue to exist until the sign, or a substantial part of it, is blown down or otherwise destroyed, dismantled, or substantially altered for any purpose other than maintenance operations or for changing the letters, symbols, or other matter on the sign. Nonconforming signs which are structurally altered, relocated, or replaced at the owner's choice shall comply with all provisions of this ordinance. (2) Any nonconforming sign which has been damaged by fire, wind, or other cause in excess of sixty (60) percent of its replacement cost shall not be restored except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter. (3) If the City Council deems it appropriate to require the relocation, reconstruction, or removal of a sign within the city limits or the extraterritorial jurisdiction, then it shall comply with the procedures set forth in V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Chapter 216, Subchapter A. (b) Abandoned or obsolete signs. (1) Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold at said premises, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which the sign may be found or associated within twelve (12) months after the said business has been closed; provided, however, if the premises containing the sign is leased, such sign shall be removed within twenty -four (24) months after the most recent tenant ceases to operate on the premises. (2) The poles or supports for out -of- business signs may be left in place as long as the poles /supports do not violate safety or electrical codes and as long as the building official determines that the poles or supports can be utilized by the next owner, agent, or person occupying the building. If the sign pole or support is in the right -of -way or is a nonconforming sign structure, it must be completely removed. (3) Except as provided in Sec. 28 -10 (b) (2), all signs, cabinets, and parts to the abandoned or obsolete sign shall be removed from the premises and disposed of. If the abandoned or obsolete sign or sign parts are not removed Page 16 of 31