L. - Abandoned signs.

1.

An abandoned sign shall be defined as any sign advertising or pertaining to a business or other use that is no longer in operation, with the exception of abandoned signs deemed historic by the zoning administrator or architectural review board.

2.

Any abandoned sign faces shall be removed or covered by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business it advertises is no longer on the premises. Such abandoned sign, if not removed within sixty (60) days from the termination of occupancy by such business shall be considered to be in violation, and the zoning administrator may cause the abandoned sign faces to be removed at the property owner's expense.

3.

Any abandoned sign structure and accompanying framing or brackets, shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business it advertises is no longer on the premises.

Such abandoned sign, if not removed within one hundred eighty (180) days from the termination of occupancy by such business shall be considered to be in violation, and the zoning administrator may cause the abandoned sign to be removed at the property owner's expense.

4.

Any abandoned pole or ground sign support structures, poles or pole brackets, shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business it advertises is no longer on the premises within three hundred sixty-five (365) days from the termination of occupancy by such business. This shall not apply to sign listings within multi-tenant buildings in which tenants change.

5.

Once removed in accordance with this section, any new sign erected on the premises must comply with all aspects of this ordinance, and shall require a new sign permit.