Nonconforming sign abatement.

San Antonio City Code § 28-50

in effect

Sec. 28-50. - Nonconforming sign abatement. (a) Continuance. Any nonconforming sign may be continued in operation and maintained after the effective date of this chapter; provided, however, that no such sign shall be changed in any manner that increases its noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter; and, provided further, that the burden of establishing such a sign to be nonconforming under this section rests entirely upon the person claiming nonconforming status. (b) Freestanding signs and multi-tenant signs. Freestanding pole signs and freestanding, multi-tenant pole signs that are nonconforming due to square footage, height, or spacing requirements may be refaced and/or have general maintenance performed. In general, whenever the sign cabinet is removed and lowered to the ground to facilitate the general maintenance and/or refacing due to property or personnel safety consideration considerations, it shall, at that time, lose its nonconforming status unless a permit is issued prior to doing so. The contractor shall submit a written request, prior to removal of the sign cabinet, outlining the proposed work to be performed, dates for accomplishment of same and property or personnel safety considerations involved. If approved, the contractor shall be issued a basic sign inspection permit and shall request an inspection on said permitted sign when the sign cabinet is first taken down and again just prior to re-installation. When the sign cabinet is first lowered to the ground, the license holder of record for the company shall supply an independent third party evaluation in writing by a Texas licensed structural engineer as to the structural integrity of the sign cabinet and its structural supports. If it is determined that the sign cabinet or structural supports are not structurally sound, the sign shall, at that time, lose its nonconforming status as outlined below. A nonconforming sign will lose its status as nonconforming upon a failure to gain approval and have the sign inspection permit issued prior to the sign cabinet being taken down. Commentary: It is the intent of this section for nonconforming signs to continue in existence for the usable life span of the sign and not have years of noncompliance increased through reconstruction. Maintenance pertaining to a nonconforming sign ("nonconforming maintenance") by definition is distinguished from maintenance and shall be used for all off-premises signs classified as nonconforming. (c) Registered trademarks. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a non-conforming registered "trademark sign" may be refaced and modified so as to prevent misidentification with the registered trademark. The original height or width of the "trademark sign" shall not be increased when the sign is modified. (d) Termination of nonconforming rights. (1) By abandonment. Abandonment of a nonconforming sign shall terminate the right to maintain such sign in accordance with the abandoned sign procedure of this chapter. (2) By violation of sign provisions. Any violation of these provisions shall terminate immediately the right to maintain a nonconforming sign. (3) By damage or deterioration. The right to maintain any nonconforming sign shall terminate and shall cease to exist whenever the sign assembly is damaged or deteriorated as described in section 28-9 above. (Ord. No. 2017-05-04-0297, § 1(Att. 1), 5-4-17)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH28SI_ARTIVERMARE_DIV2REBAUPSICL_SDAEMSI_S28-50NOSIABFetched: 10/27/2026