19.60.930 Amortization of nonconforming on-site signs.
All on-site signs in any zone constructed and erected prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified herein, or any prior ordinance under which they were also nonconforming (considering only the noncommunicative aspects of the sign) pursuant to the issuance of a valid building permit issued by the City, which do not conform to the requirements of the provisions of this title for the particular zone in which they are located or in regard to design review requirements, shall be allowed an amortization period of 15 years from the effective date of the earliest ordinance under which they were nonconforming, and shall thereafter be subject to abatement and removal as provided.
A. Notice. Any owner of a nonconforming sign at the expiration of 15 years from the effective date of the ordinance codified herein shall be noticed of the nonconformity of the display. Ownership shall be determined by the ownership of the property as shown by the most recent assessor’s tax roll. Should any owner wish to appeal the removal of any nonconforming sign based upon the reasonableness of the 15-year amortization period, such appeal shall be done in accordance with subsection (D) of this section. Removal of the sign shall be stayed until such time as an appeal is finally decided by the City Council.
B. Appeals Procedure. Any appeal from an order to remove a nonconforming sign which has used up its amortization allowance may be appealed through the same procedure as an appeal of a sign permit application. In the case of fully amortized nonconforming signs subject to a removal order, the appeal shall state and provide evidence of:
1. A detailed description of the sign or structure, the method of its construction, its measurements and the message contained thereon;
2. The name of the owner or owners of the property upon which the sign or structure is located;
3. A definition and term of the appellant’s right to locate and/or maintain the sign or structure on said property. Include amount paid, if any, for the right to locate and/or maintain the sign or structure;
4. The date and cost of original construction of the sign or structure;
5. The date and cost of appellant’s purchase of the sign or structure;
6. The date or dates and cost of major repairs to the sign or structure;
7. The average monthly gross income derived from the proceeds generated from the sign or structure, measured over the period of existence or ownership;
8. The current net value of the sign or structure as carried on the books of the company, as well as any estimate of current fair market value (including the qualifications of persons making such estimate, and the basis therefor);
9. Each application on appeal shall be verified. (Ord. 2924 § 2, 2003).