SEC. 13.04. EXISTING SIGNS AND NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.

Subd. 1. Except for signs determined to create a public safety hazard due to content or due to disrepair and condition, or illegally established signs, all legally established signs existing upon the effective date of this Chapter shall not be enlarged or reconstructed, but may be continued at the size and in the manner of operation existing upon such date.

Subd. 2. A non-conforming sign may not be:

A. Structurally altered except to bring it into compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

B. Enlarged.

C. Re-established after its removal or discontinuance.

D. Repaired or otherwise restored, unless the damage is to less than fifty (50) percent of sign structure.

E. Replaced.

Subd. 3. Non-Conforming Sign Maintenance and Repair. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as relieving the owner or user of a legal non-conforming sign or owner of the property on which the legal non-conforming sign is located from the provisions of this Chapter regarding safety, maintenance, and repair of signs; provided, however, that any repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall not modify the sign structure or copy in any way which makes it more non-conforming or the sign shall lose its legal non- conforming status.

Subd. 4. Non-Conforming Uses. When the principal use of land is legally non-conforming under the Zoning Chapter, all existing or proposed signs in conjunction with that land, shall be considered conforming if they are in compliance with the sign provisions for the most restrictive zoning district in which the principal use is allowed.