The purpose of this chapter is to provide reasonable regulations for the erection and display of signs. These regulations are intended to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare through a comprehensive set of reasonable standards and requirements which preserve the appearance of the city.

These regulations are not intended to prohibit the erection or display of a sign with a religious or political message, or any sign allowed or required by state or federal law provided that any such sign conforms to the size requirements and other reasonable requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

The provisions of this zoning ordinance shall apply to signs in both residential and nonresidential zoning districts of the city, unless a sign is specifically exempted by subsection A of this section. Every sign shall comply with all other applicable ordinances of the city. In case of a conflict between the provisions of this zoning ordinance and other applicable provisions, the more restrictive provision shall govern.

   A.   Exempt Signs: With the exception of section 11-10-5 of this chapter concerning design, construction, maintenance, and inspection, the provisions and regulations of this zoning ordinance shall not apply to the following signs:

      1.   Governmental and official signs including, but not limited to, the following:

         a.   Public notices and official notices posted or authorized by government officials in the performance of their duties.

         b.   Signs for the control or direction of traffic and other appropriate public purposes.

      2.   "No parking", "no trespassing" and "no hunting" signs that are no larger than one square foot in gross sign area and have a sign height of six feet (6') or less. In nonresidential zones, no trespassing and no hunting signs may be increased to three (3) square feet in size.

      3.   Driveway signs including the following:

         a.   Signs at driveway entrances provided that such signs do not exceed one square foot in gross sign area and have a sign height of three feet (3') or less.

         b.   Residential address number located on a sign not larger than one square foot in gross sign area. If such information is contained on a freestanding sign, such sign shall be limited to a height of three feet (3').

      4.   Illuminated or nonilluminated bulletin board signs (as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title) erected by the city of Alton, a place of worship, or a school provided that such signs do not exceed twenty four (24) square feet in gross sign area and the sign height does not exceed eight feet (8').

      5.   Residential garage, patio or estate sale signs not exceeding six (6) square feet per sign face with not more than two (2) sign faces which are erected not more than three (3) days prior to such sale and removed the day following the sale.

      6.   Incidental signs as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title.

   B.   Rules For Measuring Sign Frontage: In determining the maximum amount of signage allowed on a nonresidential premises, sign frontage shall be the primary method of measurement. Every premises has "sign frontage" as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title. Application of sign measurement shall be as follows:

      1.   If a premises has sign frontage on one street, the total sign frontage shall be the lineal distance along the right of way line of the street.

      2.   If a premises has sign frontage on two (2) or more streets, the total sign frontage shall be the sum of the lineal distance measured along the right of way line of not more than two (2) streets provided that the two (2) streets intersect.

      3.   If a premises has sign frontage on the parking lot of an office building or shopping center only, the total sign frontage shall be the lineal distance of the building space that adjoins the parking lot.

      4.   If a premises has sign frontage on one street and on the parking lot of an office building or shopping center, the total sign frontage shall be the sum of the lineal distance measured along the street right of way and the lineal distance measured along the building space that adjoins the parking lot.

      5.   If a premises has sign frontage on two (2) parallel or roughly parallel streets, the sign frontage shall be the lineal distance along the right of way of one of the streets.

      6.   Any building or use specifically allowed signage on more than one sign frontage shall be limited to displaying or erecting signage on only two (2) sign frontages. The third and any subsequent frontage shall be devoid of any on premises permanent signs except for a rear entrance sign of not more than two (2) square feet in size. Moreover, when a sign is erected at the street intersection corner of a parcel or at the intersection of a building front, and is situated at an angle so as to be visible from both streets or both frontages, the sign shall not exceed the maximum area allowed for the longest front footage of building occupancy or street frontage. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

   C.   Illuminated Signs In Residentially Zoned Areas:

      1.   In residentially zoned areas, no illuminated signs shall be permitted except permanent signs for places of worship, schools, or government owned and operated buildings, and except for signs associated with a preexisting nonconforming use.

      2.   Within the R-4 zoning district, any structure with five (5) or more stories, presently in existence at the time of adoption of this subsection C, is allowed one on premises illuminated sign mounted to the principal structure with a square footage not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet and not in excess of five percent (5%) of the square footage of the proposed surface area of the principal structure. In no case shall an illuminated sign be directed towards a residential district. (Ord. 6785, 12-10-2003)

   D.   Miscellaneous Requirements:

      1.   Flags: Flags shall be permitted in any zoning district without a permit. Each lot or parcel of land in the city shall be limited to the display of not more than five (5) flags. Parcels of land in excess of five (5) acres in size, however, may display additional flags provided that there is not more than one flag displayed per acre of land area. No flag shall exceed ninety six (96) square feet in size. Flagpoles may be up to thirty five feet (35') in height in residential districts. In other districts they shall be subject to the maximum building height limitations.

      2.   Sign Height: Freestanding signs shall not exceed the heights specified in this zoning ordinance. If no height limit is specified in the regulations for a specific freestanding sign, such sign shall not exceed six feet (6') in height. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

   A.   Signs Permitted In All Zoning Districts: The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts subject to all of the limitations and provisions stated in this zoning ordinance:

      1.   Residential development identification signs which are permanent signs designating a multiple-family development, subdivision or neighborhood. Such signs shall be limited to thirty two (32) square feet per sign face with a maximum of two (2) sign faces. Each such development shall be limited to no more than two (2) sign structures per entrance. A permit is required for a residential development identification sign. In addition, directional signs internal to a multiple-family development may also be approved by the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee provided that such signs are not more than three (3) square feet in size. A permit is required for such signs.

      2.   A residential sign provided, however, that there shall be only one such sign on any lot or parcel of land. Such sign may contain a religious or political message, but may not contain a commercial message. A residential sign shall have a maximum gross sign area of six (6) square feet per sign face and a maximum of two (2) sign faces. No permit shall be required for such a sign provided that the sign is erected by the owner or with the owner's permission. Election signs are regulated in subsection A6 of this section.

      3.   A real estate sign may advertise the property for sale, lease or rent, but is limited to six (6) square feet per sign face and a maximum of two (2) sign faces. Real estate signs shall be removed from the premises ten (10) days after the premises is sold, leased or rented. No permit is required for a real estate sign.

      4.   In addition to a real estate sign allowed in subsection A3 of this section, two (2) temporary open house signs shall also be allowed. One such sign shall be allowed on site and one is allowed off site. Open house signs shall be limited to a maximum gross sign area of six (6) square feet per sign face and a maximum of two (2) sign faces shall be permitted for up to three (3) consecutive days and shall be removed no later than one day after the open house. A minimum of four (4) days shall transpire prior to posting any open house sign on the same lot or parcel for a second or subsequent time. No permit shall be required for such a sign.

      5.   Institutional signs concerning institutional uses such as schools, country clubs, monasteries, convents and places of worship. Such institutions shall be allowed one permanent wall sign and one permanent freestanding sign. In addition, a place of worship having a significant accessory use and/or a special use may have one additional freestanding sign. No permanent sign shall contain a sign face with an area exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in size, and no freestanding sign shall have more than two (2) sign faces. One of the permanent signs may be a bulletin board sign with changeable copy. In addition, such institutions shall be permitted one temporary sign which may be a single or double faced sign although no single sign face shall exceed six (6) square feet and the total gross area of any such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet. Display of such sign shall be limited to a period of sixty (60) days. Institutional signs in nonresidential zoning districts may compute allowable signage based on the on premises permanent sign size allowances in subsection B2 of this section in lieu of the requirements specified in this subsection. Permits are required for all signs allowed by this subsection A5.

      6.   Election signs may be erected within a period extending sixty (60) days prior to and ten (10) days after any election held within Madison County, with the property owner's permission. Such signs shall be in addition to the signage permitted by other provisions of this zoning ordinance on any lot or parcel of land in the city. Each lot or parcel of land shall be permitted one or more single or double faced signs although no single sign face shall exceed six (6) square feet and the total gross area of any such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet. No permits are required for election signs.

      7.   For subdivisions under development, a "subdivision information sign", as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title, may be permitted for each entrance to the subdivision. The size of these signs shall be limited to thirty six (36) square feet each. In addition, an identification sign not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area may be permitted for each model home in the subdivision. Permits shall be required for subdivision identification signs and for signs for model homes.

      8.   Special event balloons and/or banners may be allowed by the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee for significant events or grand openings. A permit is required for special event balloons. Such balloons shall not be allowed to exceed a height of forty five feet (45') above ground level, shall be displayed for not more than four (4) continuous days on any site and shall not be displayed for more than twenty (20) days total on any site during any calendar year.

   B.   Signs Permitted In Nonresidential Zoning Districts:

      1.   Types Of Signs: In addition to the signs allowed by subsection A of this section, other signs are allowed in nonresidential zoning districts which are necessary to identify and promote business, industry and institutions. These signs include the following:

         a.   On premises permanent signs including wall signs, canopy signs, window signs, projecting signs and freestanding signs.

         b.   Special purpose signs.

         c.   Temporary signs.

         d.   Billboards (see subsection C of this section).

      2.   On Premises Permanent Signs: On premises permanent signs include wall signs, canopy signs, window signs, projecting signs and freestanding signs. The total square footage of all on premises permanent signs on a site shall be based on the allowances in table 1 of this section. When calculating the total square footage of on premises permanent signs, only one sign face of a double faced sign shall be counted. Additional regulations are as follows:

         a.   The total gross sign area of all signs located on any wall of a building (including wall signs, canopy signs and permanent window signs) shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of such wall nor six hundred fifty (650) square feet, whichever is the lesser. In addition, no individual wall, canopy or window sign shall exceed four hundred fifty (450) square feet in size. Projecting signs shall not exceed one square foot of sign area per linear foot of sign frontage. A wall sign or a projecting sign may include automated time and temperature information provided that no other part of the sign moves or appears to move. Sign permits shall be required for all wall signs, canopy signs and permanent window signs.

         b.   Freestanding signs shall be allowed based on the amount of sign frontage. Sign permits are required for all freestanding signs. Freestanding signs are limited to twenty feet (20') in height in the HE, MED, and C-1 districts and thirty five feet (35') in all other nonresidential districts.

         c.   The total gross sign area of all permanent window signage, striping, incidental signs and paper/temporary window signs shall not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the total clear glass area along the portion of the storefront on which the signs are located. Sign permits shall not be required for incidental window signs that do not exceed one square foot in gross sign area or temporary window signs that do not exceed six (6) square feet in gross sign area.

   Table 1

   Allowable Gross Sign Area By Zoning District

 

 

      3.   Special Purpose Signs: Signs authorized in this subsection B3 are not to be included in calculating the allowable gross sign area for on premises permanent signs. Sign permits are required for all special purpose signs.

         a.   Parking Direction Signs: One freestanding parking direction sign per direction, which may be internally illuminated, shall be permitted for each driveway, provided the sign does not exceed three (3) square feet in gross sign area per face, the sign height does not exceed three feet (3'), and no portion of the sign shall extend into the public right of way. If the sign is located at a private driveway, the sign may contain the address of the business or institution on the premises.

         b.   Parking Regulation Signs: One nonilluminated parking regulation sign (such as "no parking", "parking reserved for" and similar signs), not exceeding five (5) square feet in gross sign area and not exceeding ten feet (10') in sign height, shall be permitted for each commercial or public parking lot. Parking lots with more than twenty (20) parking spaces shall be permitted one such sign for each twenty (20) parking spaces. In addition, a handicapped, van accessible or similar sign shall be allowed for each handicapped parking space. The size and height of such sign shall be no larger or higher than required to be in compliance with the Illinois accessibility code.

         c.   Covered Walkway Signs: A sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross sign area, may be hung from the ceiling of a covered walkway that is attached to the front of a commercial establishment. Such a sign shall not exceed eighteen inches (18") in drop from the bottom of the said sign to the ceiling surface of the covered walkway, nor shall the bottom of said sign be less than seven feet (7') above the sidewalk surface it is hanging over. Only one covered walkway sign per business shall be allowed. Such a sign shall be hung perpendicular to the retail storefront so as to be beneficial to pedestrian traffic.

         d.   Menu Boards: Menu boards at drive-in restaurants or drive-through windows at restaurants may be allowed provided the written message on such menu board is not legible off the premises.

         e.   Sandwich Signs: Sandwich signs may be displayed on commercial properties during business hours provided that they do not interfere with pedestrian traffic. No sign face on a sandwich sign shall exceed fifteen (15) square feet in size. Only one sandwich sign per business shall be allowed.

         f.   Light Pole Artwork Banners: Temporary or permanent light pole artwork banners may be permitted on light poles and other similar utility poles in surface parking lots and in or adjacent to street rights of way. The bottom of such banner shall not be lower than seven feet (7') from the base of the light pole. The gross sign area of each light pole artwork banner shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet with a maximum of two (2) banners per light pole. No part of this banner shall project more than three feet (3') beyond the vertical centerline of the light pole. These banners shall be attached to the light pole in such a manner so as to minimize any banner movement. Any torn, frayed, or faded light pole artwork banner must be repaired, replaced, or removed entirely within ten (10) days of mailing of written notification from the city.

      4.   Temporary Signs: Temporary signs allowed in nonresidential zoning districts include on site construction signs, temporary advertising signs, real estate signs, election signs, and special event signs.

         a.   On Site Construction Sign: Only one such sign per entire development denoting the owner, architect, engineer, consultant, developer, lender and/or contractor, not to exceed ten feet (10') in height from top of sign to top of grade or two feet (2') in height from bottom of sign to top of grade, shall be permitted. Such a sign shall be erected out of the public right of way and shall be removed ten (10) days after the receipt of an occupancy permit for the building or development. The size of such sign shall be based on the formula in subsection B4g of this section.

         b.   Temporary Advertising Signs: The zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee may issue a permit for one temporary sign advertising a special promotion or grand opening for a period not exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days. The advertisement contained on the temporary sign shall pertain only to the business, industry, or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which such sign is erected. The temporary advertising sign may be a sign or banner affixed on poles, wires, ropes, or may be streamers, wind operated device, an A-frame sign or a similar device. The size of such sign shall be based on the formula in subsection B4g of this section. Temporary signs as authorized herein may be displayed on a premises for a maximum of ninety (90) days per calendar year provided that no individual temporary advertising sign is displayed for a period exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days, there is a minimum of thirty (30) days between the display of temporary advertising signs on a premises, and no premises shall be issued more than six (6) permits for temporary advertising signs during any calendar year.

         c.   Real Estate Signs: In lieu of the real estate signs allowed by subsection A3 of this section, a real estate sign in a nonresidential zoning district may exceed six (6) square feet per sign face based on the formula in subsection B4g of this section provided that the sign is limited to advertising the premises on which it is located. Real estate signs shall be removed from the premises ten (10) days after the premises is sold, leased or rented. No permit shall be required for such signs.

         d.   Election Signs: In lieu of the election sign size limitation allowed by subsection A6 of this section, temporary election signs in nonresidential zoning districts may exceed six (6) square feet per sign face based on the formula in subsection B4g of this section. All other requirements of subsection A6 of this section apply to election signs in nonresidential districts. No permit shall be required for election signs.

         e.   Special Event Signs: Signs or banners promoting or announcing a special event sponsored by a governmental or nonprofit agency may be approved by the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee. Such signs shall not be erected more than forty five (45) days prior to the event and shall be removed within ten (10) days following the event. The size of such sign shall be based on the formula in subsection B4g of this section. A permit shall be required for such signs.

         f.   Subdivision Direction Signs: Subdivision direction signs, as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title, are permitted in the CR, HE, MED, C-1, C-2, C-4, C-5, MR, M-1, M-2, and M-3 districts based on the criteria in this subsection. A permit shall be required for such signs. The size of such sign shall be based on the formula in subsection B4g of this section. These are considered off premises signs and only one subdivision direction sign shall be allowed per lot or parcel of land. Such signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the subdivision is completed. Such signs shall be permitted for one year and, at the end of the year, the permit may be renewed for six (6) month increments of time.

         g.   Size Limitations: All temporary signs in nonresidential zoning districts shall be limited to the size limitations enumerated in this subsection. The maximum size of temporary signs shall be based on the sign frontage of the lot or building space (if the business is located within a shopping center). In the case of corner lots, only one sign frontage shall be used in calculating the allowable size of the sign.

 

         h.   Temporary Window Signs: A temporary window sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in size may be placed in the window of a commercial establishment without a permit provided that the total square footage of all signs placed on or in the windows of the establishment do not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the total window area. No permit shall be required for such temporary window signs.

   C.   Billboards:

      1.   Billboards Limited: Billboards must meet the following requirements:

         a.   It must be located within six hundred sixty feet (660') of the nearest edge of the right of way of a primary highway.

         b.   A billboard may only be placed on lands zoned C-2, C-5, M-1 and M-2.

         c.   The billboard must comply with all provisions of subsections C2, C3, C4 and C5 of this section.

      2.   Size, Height And Mounting Of Billboards: The size, height and mounting of billboards shall be regulated by the following:

         a.   The gross sign area for any one billboard shall be two hundred (200) square feet with a maximum vertical dimension of fifteen feet (15') and a maximum horizontal dimension of twenty feet (20'), inclusive of border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members.

         b.   The maximum height of a billboard shall not exceed thirty five feet (35') above the natural grade where the sign is installed.

         c.   No sign shall be located on the roof of a building or on a nonsign structure.

         d.   Billboards may not be stacked such that a billboard sign face is placed immediately above or below another billboard sign face.

         e.   No billboard shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights, or other illuminating device of variable light intensity, brightness or color.

      3.   Separation Requirements: No billboard or any part of the billboard structure shall be erected:

         a.   Within two hundred feet (200') of any residentially zoned property.

         b.   Within fifty feet (50') of any existing building, unless the building is owned, maintained and actually utilized in the operation of an outdoor advertising business license (class C 3064) issued by the city of Alton. When the building is no longer owned, maintained and actually utilized in the operation of an outdoor advertising business license (class C 3064) issued by the city of Alton the signage, and its structure shall be removed.

         c.   Within two hundred feet (200') of any park, playground, school, library or place of worship.

         d.   Within fifty feet (50') of an overhead power line.

         e.   Within three hundred feet (300') of another billboard.

      4.   Permits Required: A permit from the city is required to erect a billboard.

      5.   Inspection Reports: Whenever a billboard is erected or maintained within the city, the owner of such billboard shall cause an inspection of it at least every five (5) years and a photocopy of the inspection report shall be submitted to the zoning administrator.

The following types of signs are specifically prohibited in the city:

   A.   Signs visible from a public right of way that imitate, blend or conflict with, or that may be confused with traffic signals and signs. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to, signs that are imitations of "stop", "go", "caution", "danger" or "warning".

   B.   Signs that are of a size, location, movement or illumination as may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which might obstruct from view any traffic or street sign or signal.

   C.   Signs on public land or public right of way, except those erected at the direction of, or with the permission of, an appropriate public authority.

   D.   Strips or strings of lights used to call attention to a use or occupancy by outlining property lines, rooflines, doors, windows, wall edges or other architectural features of a building site, or which are suspended from or attached to poles or similar structures. Exempted from this provision are holiday lighting displayed from November 21 through January 15.

   E.   Moving signs, including those of which all or any part of the sign moves or appears to move. This prohibition against moving signs shall extend to devices including strings of light bulbs and rotating signs, whether part of any signs are maintained as an independent feature, but does not include an automated time and temperature sign, stock market sign or similar message sign.

   F.   Commercial message signs in residential zoning districts. The only exceptions are for real estate signs described in subsection 11-10-3A3 of this chapter and a sign that is used in connection with a preexisting nonconforming use as defined by this zoning ordinance. A sign of that type shall be subject to subsection 11-10-2C of this chapter so long as the nonconforming use continues.

   G.   Snipe signs as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title.

   H.   Unkempt or unsightly signs as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title.

   I.   Roof signs as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title.

   J.   Any sign structure which no longer supports a sign. Exempted from this section is a sign structure which is temporarily void of a sign due to a permitted alteration or repair. A sign permit or an application for a sign permit for this alteration or repair must be on file with the city and said alteration or repair must be completed within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the approved sign permit.

   K.   Permanent or temporary window signs above the ceiling of the second floor including lettering painted or applied to glass.

   L.   Portable signs as defined in section 11-2-2 of this title, except for sandwich boards displayed on premises during business hours.

   M.   Inflatable signs and tethered balloons, except for special event balloons.

   N.   Signs extending over a roadway except those approved by the zoning administrator.

   O.   Signs that advertise an activity or business no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall be removed within six (6) months after such activity or business ceases operation. The zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee may grant one extension of not more than six (6) months for this removal.

   P.   Signs erected in a way that would impair the view of motorists at intersections or along public streets.

   Q.   Any sign not permitted by section 11-10-3 of this chapter or exempted by subsection 11-10-2A of this chapter is prohibited. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

All signs shall comply with the following general requirements for design, construction, maintenance and inspection:

   A.   Sign Faces: When a sign is allowed two (2) sign faces, the sign faces shall be parallel to one another and not more than fourteen inches (14") apart unless specifically authorized to deviate from this requirement by an applicable portion of this zoning ordinance.

   B.   Projections: No sign shall project beyond a property line or into a public right of way, except traffic control signs and permitted projecting signs.

   C.   Compliance With Building Codes: Erection, construction, installation or placement of any sign requiring a sign permit shall comply with all applicable building codes. The zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee may deny approval of the erection, construction, installation or placement of any sign which does not meet all minimum standards as set forth in the building codes of the city.

   D.   Wind Loads: All signs, except those attached flat against the wall of a building, shall be constructed to withstand wind loads of thirty (30) pounds per square foot of sign area.

   E.   Inspection Of Wall Signs: All wall signs shall be inspected by the city prior to being installed on a wall to ensure compliance with this zoning ordinance.

   F.   Maintenance Of Signs: All signs and related structures shall be maintained in good repair, free of rust, peeling, flaking, fading, broken or cracked surfaces, and broken or missing letters.

   G.   Unsafe Signs: All signs and related structures shall be maintained in a safe, clean and attractive condition. Whenever the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee determines that a sign has become structurally unsafe or endangers life or property or is not being maintained in good repair, a notice shall be sent to the owner or person in charge of the sign that the sign be made safe, repaired or removed. The owner or person in charge of the sign shall have ten (10) days from receipt of such notice in which to comply based on the provisions in subsection 11-10-8B of this chapter. Failure to comply shall be a violation of this zoning ordinance subject to section 11-10-8 of this chapter. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

Signs are required to be in compliance with this zoning ordinance as follows:

   A.   New Signs: No new sign may be constructed or erected after the effective date of this zoning ordinance, unless the sign conforms to all the provisions of this zoning ordinance and any required sign permit has been issued by the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee. Nothing in this section shall relieve the owner or user of a nonconforming sign from the provisions of this zoning ordinance regarding safety, maintenance, and repair of signs specified in section 11-10-5 of this chapter.

   B.   Repair Or Replacement Of Damaged Nonconforming Signs: Any existing nonconforming sign that is destroyed, deteriorated or damaged to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its replacement cost, exclusive of the foundation, after the effective date of this zoning ordinance, shall not be rebuilt, repaired or replaced unless in conformity with the provisions of this zoning ordinance. Repair of such sign shall not affect provisions of any of the other subsections of this section.

   C.   Amortization Of Signs Erected Without A Permit: Any sign that was erected without a permit prior to the effective date of this zoning ordinance shall be removed or brought into conformance with this zoning ordinance within six (6) months of such effective date except that signs used in connection with a preexisting nonconforming use shall be subject to this section.

   D.   Alterations To Nonconforming Signs: No existing nonconforming sign may be altered in structure, relocated or replaced after the effective date of this zoning ordinance. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

No sign permitted under section 11-10-3 of this chapter which is required to have a sign permit shall be erected, constructed, painted or placed upon any building or premises within the city until a permit therefor has been issued by the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)

   A.   Inspection Of Signs: All signs may be inspected by the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee to determine if the sign is insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe. Signs may also be inspected to ensure compliance with all provisions of this zoning ordinance.

   B.   Notice To Remove Unsafe Sign: When any sign becomes insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, or if any sign exists or is installed or maintained in violation of the provisions of this zoning ordinance with respect to construction or safety, the owner, person or firm maintaining such sign shall correct the deficiencies or violation or remove the sign within ten (10) days after receiving notice from the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee; provided, however, that if such sign constitutes an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare, the zoning administrator or the zoning administrator's designee shall order immediate correction or removal of such sign.

   C.   Removal Of Nonconforming Signs: Any sign which is not erected, constructed or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this zoning ordinance shall be removed by the owner within fifteen (15) days of notice by the city. If the owner fails to act after fifteen (15) days' notice to the owner of the property such sign may be removed by the city and the cost thereof charged to the owner of, or person maintaining, such sign. (Ord. 6734, 6-11-2003)