Indian Wells Municipal Code Ch. 17.40 Non-Conforming Signs

Lawful existing on-premises signs at the time of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this Chapter, which do not comply with the requirements of this Chapter, as amended, shall be deemed lawful non-conforming uses and shall be made to comply, be removed or demolished upon the transfer of ownership of the business or upon the alternating of sign, copy, size, color or the addition of new signage to the site or structure upon which the non-conforming sign is located.

(Ord. 311 § 1, 1992)

(a) Restrictions on Non-conforming Signs. A non-conforming sign, as defined by this Title, shall not be:

(1) Changed to another non-conforming sign;

(2) Structurally altered so as to extend its useful life;

(3) Expanded;

(4) Reestablished after discontinuance for ninety (90) days or more;

(5) Reestablished after damage or destruction of more than fifty percent (50%) of its value, as determined by the Building Official.

(b) New Signs Approval. No new sign shall be approved for a site, structure, building or use that contains non-conforming signs unless such non-conforming signs are removed or modified to conform with the provisions of this Title.

No building permit shall be issued for any structures, building expansions or new building construction on a site which contains non-conforming signs, unless all signs on the site are brought into conformance with this Title. This does not include interior alternations which do not substantially change the character or intensity of the site.

(c) Discontinuance of a Business. Within ninety (90) days of the discontinuance of a business in any commercial or industrial zone or before a new business occupies the building, whichever comes first, the sign owner, his agent, or the property owner shall remove all non-conforming signs and the wording advertising or relating to the discontinued business from all conforming signs.

(Ord. 311 § 1, 1992)