Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this
chapter may be continued although their size, location, or other physical
attributes do not conform to this chapter. Such signs shall be considered
legal nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs shall be kept in good
repair.
A.
Loss of legal nonconforming status of a sign. A sign loses its legal
nonconforming status and shall be considered in violation of this
chapter if one or more of the following occurs:
(1)
The sign is structurally altered in any way, except for normal maintenance
or repair, which tends to make or makes the sign less in compliance
with the requirements of this chapter than it was before the alteration.
(2)
The sign is determined to be abandoned under the provisions of this
chapter.
(3)
If, for any reason, the sign is destroyed, damaged, or in disrepair
such that the cost to reconstruct or repair the sign equals or exceeds
50% of the sign's actual value as determined by the Zoning Administrator
for the Town of Barton.
B.
Signs erected without a permit. Any sign erected after the effective
date of this chapter and without a required sign permit shall be deemed
an illegal sign. Such signs shall be removed by either the sign owner
or the owner of the property upon which the sign is placed within
10 days after written notice from the Zoning Administrator of the
Town of Barton. Upon failure to comply with this notice, the Zoning
Administrator or Town Board shall cause a citation to be issued and
may seek from the court an order removing the sign at the cost of
the owner of the sign and/or the property owner of the property upon
which the sign is placed. Further, a per diem fine shall be imposed
for each day after the thirty-day notice expires of not less than
$10 nor more than $200, against the owner of the sign and/or the owner
of the property upon which the sign is placed. Any fine imposed shall
become a lien on that person's property named in the citation or order
and shall automatically be placed on the tax roll as a special assessment
against that person's property.
