§ 34-654. Nonconforming signs/amortization.

Any lawful permanent sign installed, or erected prior to the adoption of this article or any amendment to this article, that does not comply with the regulations set forth herein, shall be removed or altered to comply with the applicable regulations of this article by July 1, 2020.

(1)

General rule for amortization of nonconforming signs. Legally existing signs that become nonconforming as of the effective date of the adoption of this article shall maintain legally nonconforming status until July 1, 2020, with exceptions as herein contained, at which time all signs not in compliance shall become illegal signs. It shall be unlawful for any sign owner not to be in compliance with the following amortization provisions, with exceptions as herein contained:

a.

As of July 1, 2019, all owners of legally nonconforming signs are required to prepare and submit to the city a proposed sign plan in accordance to regulations herein.

b.

As of December 31, 2019, all owners of legally nonconforming signs are required to have an approved sign plan in compliance with this article.

c.

As of July 1, 2020, all legally nonconforming signs and their supporting members shall be altered, or removed from the property.

d.

The city may deny the issuance of any licenses, permits, certificates of use, to an owner if it is determined that the amortization article is not being complied with.

e.

A property owner may file an application with the city to obtain approval for a certificate of legal conformity. Such determination shall be made by the planning and zoning director or designee after consideration and review of plans that demonstrate that signage on the property is or will be improved to the greatest extent physically possible to comply with all applicable regulations of this article. The city may establish written administrative guidelines for the review and issuance of a certificate of legal conformity for signage that become nonconforming as of the effective date of this amortization provision. Said guidelines may be revised, amended, and modified administratively from time to time.

(2)

Amortization of monument signs along collector and all other rights-of-way. Freestanding and monument signs that were lawfully existing prior to July 1, 2018, that do not comply with the regulations set forth herein, shall remain legally nonconforming signs and will not be required to be amortized out if they meet the following standards:

a.

The total sign area and sign height does not exceed the maximum allowable amounts as may be permitted under the regulations set forth herein this article.

b.

The sign is landscaped, repaired and maintained accordingly in compliance with regulations set forth in this sign code.

c.

If the sign is relocated; moved; or altered at a cost greater than 50 percent of the assessed value of the sign; the legal nonconforming status shall be lost and the sign shall be in required to be in compliance with the regulations set forth in this article.

(3)

Amortization of window signs.

a.

An owner of a window sign shall submit a window sign plan, consistent and in compliance with the provisions of submitting a sign plan by October 1, 2018.

b.

Window signs shall be in compliance with the provisions of this article by January 1, 2019.

(4)

Amortization of temporary signs. All legally existing temporary signs shall be in compliance with the provisions of this article by October 1, 2018.

(5)

Exception for billboards and off-premises signs. Amortization shall not apply to billboard (class C signs in the county Code) and off-premises signs that were lawfully erected on the date of adoption of this article. These signs shall be permitted as legally nonconforming signs. Said signs shall be subject to below provisions regarding maintenance and repair of nonconforming signs. This section shall not be interpreted to prevent the city from entering into relocation agreements for off-premises signs in accordance with F.S. § 70.20.

(6)

Maintenance and repair of nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs shall be maintained in a safe condition and may be repaired or otherwise maintained or both, provided the sign structure is not moved, altered or replaced; provided, that the cumulative costs of such repair and maintenance does not exceed 50 percent of the replacement value of the sign. If so, the sign shall comply with the provisions set forth in this article.

(Ord. No. 2018-13-394, § 2(Exh. A), 7-25-2018)