Sec. 326.204. - Projecting signs.

(a) Projecting signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or shall have a metal structural frame with approved plastic faces, letters or decorations. Where the signs are erected on the walls of buildings and supported by cables, the main guy which supports the dead weight of the sign shall be anchored to the wall by through bolts or shall be carried over the parapet and anchored to the roof construction with through bolts. (b) Except as provided in Section 326.205 for wall signs, and Section 656.1304 for awning signs, no sign shall project beyond the property line into or over a street right-of-way, alley, walk or other public space. (c) A projecting sign which violates subsection (b) but which was lawfully erected, maintained and in place on March 15, 1973 or for which a permit to erect, enlarge, rebuild or structurally alter the sign was issued prior to that date shall be deemed a nonconforming sign. A nonconforming sign may continue in existence for a maximum period of ten years from October 1, 1974 but all nonconforming signs shall be removed and are prohibited and unlawful thereafter, except as further provided herein. All nonconforming signs still being utilized as of October 1, 1984, may continue in existence for an additional period of time until the business utilizing such nonconforming sign goes out of business or is sold; provided, that such nonconforming sign shall at all times meet those minimum standards for safety to the general public as are provided for by law. During the ten-year period, or any extension thereof as provided herein, no nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity but it may be altered to decrease its nonconformity. If a nonconforming sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to an extent of more than 65 percent of its value at the time of damage or destruction, it shall not be repaired or reconstructed except in conformity with this Chapter. (d) A person who shall violate a provision of this Section or who shall construct, erect, maintain or use any sign in violation hereof shall be deemed guilty of a class D offense. (e) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary as may be contained in this Section, no projecting sign which would be in violation of subsection (b) of this Section shall continue in existence for more than five years after March 11, 1987, unless and until the Council by resolution specifically grants an exemption from the provisions of this Section for a projecting sign to remain beyond the five-year period provided for herein. (Ord. 71-342-174; Ord. 73-28-40, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 83-1249-615, § 2; Ord. 84-726-383, § 1; Ord. 85-1201-663, § 6; Ord. 86-1523-871, § 5; Ord. 92-1768-1444, § 1; Ord. 2001-1160-E, §§ 14, 16) Editor's note— Section 3 of Ord. 80-611-278 waived the provisions of this Section for the purposes of the "Neighborhood Watch Program" authorized by § 1 of Ord. 80-611-278. Editor's note— Section 2 of Ord. 84-726-383 provides as follows: "The provisions of Section 56.103, Ordinance Code, to the extent such would require the submission, review and approval of this ordinance to and by the Building Codes Adjustment Board, are made inapplicable to the enactment of this ordinance." Note— Former § 900-1604.5; § 334.205, § 326.205 .