(A)   No permanent sign shall hereafter be erected, altered or moved until the person proposing to erect, alter or move such sign shall have obtained a permit from the Building Department. Such permit shall be issued only when the sign complies with all of the applicable provisions of this subchapter. The fee for granting such a permit shall be $.50 per square foot of sign or a minimum of $50 (to include both sides of double faced signs), and such other fees for an electrical sign as are provided by ordinance.

   (B)   Any person desiring such a permit shall file application upon a form which shall contain the following information:

      (1)   Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;

      (2)   A plot plan drawn to scale showing the location of the building, structure or lot to which the sign is to be attached or erected, and showing the position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings and thoroughfares;

      (3)   A plan drawn to scale showing the design of the sign, materials used, method of construction, and means of attachment to the building or ground;

      (4)   The name of the person, firm, corporation or association erecting, altering or moving the sign;

      (5)   Written consent of the owner of the land on which the sign is to be erected, altered or relocated;

   (A)   All signs are prohibited in the commercial districts except as set forth in this section.

   (B)   All signs permitted in the residential districts. (See §§ 156.174 and 156.175.)

   (C)   Ground or pole signs as follows:

      (1)   Single or combined use building and lot. One per street frontage, not to exceed 64 square feet of sign face and 96 square feet in total sign area and ten feet in height for a ground sign or 32 square feet in total sign face and ten feet in height for a pole sign.

      (5)   On-premise directional and instructional signs. Those signs, which provide instruction or direction, and are located entirely on the property to which they pertain, and do not advertise a business. This includes, but is not limited to, such signs as those which identify a business location, restrooms, telephone, parking areas, entrances, exits, etc. Such signs may not exceed eight square feet in gross area per sign. Such signs must be identified on site plans for new developments or approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission for existing businesses.

   (D)   Wall signs as follows:

      (1)   Single use building and lot. Two signs per facade, but not to exceed a total of four such signs.

      (2)   Combined use building and lot. Three signs per facade, but not to exceed a total of six such signs.

      (3)   Shopping plaza. One sign per individual business or other enterprise; two signs per corner unit, one on each facade.

      (4)   Shopping center. Same as shopping plaza.

      (5)   The above signs are limited to an area equal to 10% of the facade of the building containing the business or other enterprise of the facade upon which the sign is to be mounted.

   (A)   All signs are prohibited in the industrial districts except as set forth in this section.

   (A)   All permanent signs which are legally in existence at the time of passage of this subchapter, but which do not conform to one or more provisions of this subchapter, shall be deemed to be a legal nonconforming use and may be continued only as provided in this subchapter.

   (B)   Any nonconforming sign rendered nonconforming by the provisions of this subchapter may be continued in use, provided there is no physical change other than necessary maintenance and repair, except as otherwise permitted herein.

   (C)   Whenever a nonconforming sign has been discontinued for a period of six consecutive months, or whenever there is evidently a clear intent on the part of the owner to abandon a nonconforming sign, such sign shall not, after being discontinued or abandoned, be reestablished, and the sign thereafter shall be brought into conformity with the regulations of this subchapter.

   (D)   Normal maintenance of a nonconforming sign is permitted, including necessary nonstructural repairs or incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the nonconforming features of the sign.

   (E)   No structural alteration, enlargement or extension shall be made in a nonconforming sign, unless the alteration will result in eliminating the nonconforming use.

   (F)   If a nonconforming sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to the extent of 50% or more of its replacement value at that time, or 50% or more of the physical structure, whichever is least, the sign can be rebuilt or used thereafter only for a conforming use and in compliance with the provisions of this subchapter. In the event the damage or destruction is less than 50%, the sign may then be restored to its original condition, and the use may be continued which existed at the time of such partial destruction until the nonconforming sign is otherwise abated by the provisions of this subchapter. In either event, restoration or repair must be started within a period of 30 days from the date of damage or destruction and diligently prosecuted to completion.