Del Norte County Municipal Code § 18.34 Preexisting Signs And Preexisting Nonconforming Signs

Except as otherwise provided herein, the owner of any zone lot or other premises on which exists a sign that does not conform with requirements of this title or a current and valid sign permit pursuant to this title shall be obligated to remove such sign or to bring it into conformity with the requirements of this title.

(Ord. 92-19 (part), 1992)

1. For any sign existing in the county on October 28, 1992, a sign file form shall be submitted to the planning division on or before one hundred eighty days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.

2. Sign file forms for existing signs, including nonconforming signs, submitted on or before one hundred eighty days after the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, will be provided by the planning division at no charge to the applicant. Any subsequent fees required after March 27, 1993, shall be applicable. Upon field verification by the planning division of the existing sign sizes, locations, and dimensions and review for consistency with all other requirements of this title, the sign file shall be accepted where allowed.

3. Subsequent to March 27, 1993, the county shall document all signs existing without a sign file. A sixtyday extension period may be allowed to obtain sign files for the existing signs however, such sign files shall be subject to any applicable fees adopted. Upon a written request by the applicant, the planning division shall provide assistance in the completion of the sign file form processed within the extension period. Signs that are the subject of applications received after the applicable date set forth in this section shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of this title and shall not be automatically entitled to the protection of this section or Section 18.34.30.

(Ord. 92-19 (part), 1992)

1. Excepting Sections 18.34.40 and 18.34.50, a sign that would be permitted under this title only with a sign permit, but which was in existence on October 28, 1992, and which was constructed in accordance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of its construction, but which by reason of its size, height, location, design, or construction is not in conformance with the requirements of this title, shall be listed in a sign file application if such application is filed in accordance with Section 18.34.20.

2. Such sign file or permit shall allow the sign to remain in place and be maintained, provided that such sign file or permit remains valid and no action is taken which increases the degree or extent of the nonconformity, however, such signs are subject to the provisions of Sections 18.34.40 and 18.34.50.

(Ord. 92-19 (part), 1992)

All existing illegal signs and abandoned signs as defined in this title shall be denied legal nonconforming status under a sign file or an off-site sign permit. In addition, any existing sign files or permits for signs which subsequently meet illegal or abandoned definitions shall automatically lapse and become void. Such signs shall be subsequently abated, or be made to conform with the requirements of this title. (B and P Code, Sec.5491.1.)

(Ord. 92-19 (part), 1992)

In addition to the above section, an existing sign file or permit, or an application for a sign file or sign permit, shall respectively lapse or be denied if any of the following apply (B and P Code, Sec. 5497):

1. The sign is repaired or destroyed at a cost of more than fifty percent of the sign value, and the repair or destruction is other than facial copy replacement.

2. The sign is a temporary sign, including portable signs not erected under the terms of this title.

3. The sign is dilapidated or may become a danger to the public or is unsafe.

4. The sign is to be relocated.

5. The sign constitutes a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways.

6. There has been an agreement between the advertising display owner and the county, for removal of the sign - including removals involving compensation - at any given date (B and P Code, Section 5412).

(Ord. 92-19 (part), 1992)