(a)
Sign Inspection.
(1) Responsibility for Compliance.
The owner of any property on which a sign is located is declared to be responsible for the permit, erection, inspection, safety, condition, and removal of a sign.
(2) Inspection of New Signs.
All signs for which a permit has been issued shall be inspected by the Permitting Vendor when erected. Approval shall be granted only if the sign has been constructed in compliance with the approved plans and applicable requirements of other ordinances and codes.
(3) Inspection before Enclosure.
In cases where fastenings or anchorages are to be eventually bricked in or otherwise enclosed, the sign erector/contractor shall advise the Permitting Vendor when such fastenings are to be installed so that inspection may be completed before enclosure.
(4) Inspection of Existing Signs.
The City Code Enforcement Officer may, at such times as deemed necessary, inspect any sign allowed under this section, and if upon inspection a sign is found to be unsafe or in a condition that does not comply with all the provisions of this section, the City Code Enforcement Officer shall give notice of that condition to the owner of the sign and state the necessary repairs or alterations to be made, or require removal of the sign if not remedied by the owner.
(b) Sign Maintenance.
(1) Maintenance of Signs. All signs for which a permit is required, and all supports therefor shall:
(a) Be kept in compliance with the plans and specifications filed and approved for issuance of the construction permit.
(b) Be kept and maintained in a safe condition, consistent with adopted building and mechanical codes.
(c) At all times conform to all the provisions of this article.
(c) Obsolete Signs.
(1) Signs which are no longer functional, in disrepair, or are abandoned for more than 60 days, shall be removed, at the expense of the property owner or sign owner on which the sign is located, within 30 days following notice of noncompliance. The owner shall be notified by certified mail.
(2) A sign which no longer identifies a use, product, business or entity located on the property, but is otherwise in conformity with the other provisions of this ordinance, may remain in place if the sign face is completely covered or obscured by a blank panel attached within the frame of the sign. In such case, the sign shall be permitted to remain for a period not to exceed 120 days. Following expiration of the 120 days, the sign shall be removed, unless identifying a new use, product, business or entity located on the property.
(d) Legal Nonconforming Sign.
(1) Status.
Any sign lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this article that does not fully comply with all provisions of this ordinance shall be considered a legal nonconforming sign and may be permitted to remain as long as the sign is properly maintained and not detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community, except as herein provided.
(2) Continuance.
The nonconforming sign may continue as long as it is not destroyed, abandoned, or discontinued under 12.09(c) above. A sign damaged in excess of 50% of its replacement cost is considered destroyed and shall be removed by the property owner. If the sign is not removed, the City of Bells may remove the sign.
(3) Restrictions.
A nonconforming sign shall not be altered or reconstructed, unless the alteration or reconstruction is in compliance with the provisions of this article. For the purpose of this article only, the terms “altered” or “reconstructed” shall not include any of the following:
(a) Normal maintenance.
(b) Changing of surface sign space to a lesser or equal area.
(c) Ornamental molding, frames, trellises, or ornamental features or landscaping below the base line.
(d) The addition, construction, installation, or changing of electrical wiring or electrical devices.
(e) Changing backgrounds, letters, figures, or characters, or other embellishments.
(4) Nonconforming Changeable Copy Signs.
The message on a nonconforming changeable copy sign or nonconforming bulletin board sign may be changed provided that the change does not create any greater nonconformity. Conversion of a nonconforming sign to an electronic changeable message sign shall not be permitted.
(5) Substitution.
A nonconforming sign may not be replaced with another nonconforming sign.
