All uses, structures, lots and signs that do
not conform to regulations of the district in which they are located
but were in lawful existence prior to the effective date of this chapter
shall be known and regarded as "nonconforming," and the following
regulations shall apply to them.
Any nonconforming use, building, sign or other
structure legally existing at the time of adoption of this chapter
or authorized by a building permit issued prior thereto may be continued
in accordance with this article.
Any existing nonconforming signs, signboards,
billboards or advertising device existing at the time of the adoption
of this chapter may be used in its existing location, provided that
it is maintained in accordance with the following provisions and all
Building Code requirements for structures:
A. Moving. A nonconforming sign may be moved, provided
that moving such a sign would eliminate the nonconformity. A nonconforming
sign shall not be moved to a position where such a sign remains nonconforming
unless permitted by special exception.
B. Area. The total area of all such signs relating to
a single use at the effective date of this chapter or at the effective
date of any amendment of this chapter by which any sign shall be made
nonconforming shall not be increased.
C. Replacement. No such sign shall be physically altered
or replaced unless authorized as a special exception by the Zoning
Hearing Board. Nonconforming signs, once removed, may be replaced
only by conforming signs unless authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board.
D. Discontinuance. Whenever any nonconforming use of building, structure or land or of a combination of buildings, structures and land ceases as prescribed in §
224-94D, all signs accessory to such use shall be deemed to become nonconforming and shall be removed within three calendar months from the date such use terminates.