Grain Valley City Zoning Code
SECTION 400
273 Non-Conforming Signs.
[R.O. 1996 § 400.273; Ord. No. 1918 § 1, 9-10-2007]
A.
Policy. It is the policy of the City to encourage and, to the maximum extent practicable, require that all signs within the City be brought into compliance with the requirements of Section 400.300.
B.
Non-Conforming Signs Protected. A sign which was lawfully in place prior to October 10, 2007, but does not comply with one (1) or more requirements of Section 400.300 may remain in use, subject to all other applicable requirements of this Municipal Code.
C.
Signs Offered Additional Protection. Existing institutional bulletin boards and signs, building markers, directional signs, subdivision entrance signs and incidental signs shall not be affected by the other parts of this Section, except when said signs are removed, replaced or substantially altered, at which time they shall be brought into conformity with Section 400.300.
D.
Limitations On Non-Conforming Signs.
1.
Change of copy or the substitution of panels or faces to reflect a new use on non-conforming signs shall not be permitted. Repairs and maintenance of non-conforming signs, such as repainting, electrical repairs and neon tubing, shall be permitted.
2.
It shall be unlawful to enlarge, structurally alter or move off premises any existing sign, except in accordance with the provisions of Section 400.300.
3.
Any non-conforming sign that ceases being used or leased for a continuous period of six (6) months shall not be reused for sign purposes until it is brought into full compliance with the standards of Section 400.300.
4.
Any non-conforming sign pertaining to a business or institution that ceases operation for a period of six (6) months or more shall not be reused for sign purposes until it is brought into full compliance with the standards of Section 400.300.
5.
When a building permit is issued for work on a building on a lot where such work enlarges the building floor area by more than twenty percent (20%) or involves work with a permitted value equal to one-half (1/2) or more of the taxable value of the building or structure located on the lot, any non-conforming signs on the property shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of Section 400.300 as part of the construction project with such work to be completed before permanent occupancy of the new or remodeled premises.
6.
Any addition of new signage to a property should be offset by a proportionate reduction in the amount of non-conforming signage on the property. That is, if a new sign will account for ten percent (10%) of the permitted signage on the property, then the non-conforming signage on the property should be reduced by no less than ten percent (10%) at the time the new signage is installed.