§127.0202 General Rules for Previously Conforming Signs
The following general rules apply to all previously conforming signs.
(a) Except as specified in Section 127.0202(b), any sign that was constructed, erected, or affixed after April 5, 1973 in compliance with the Municipal Code, and which has subsequently become previously conforming shall maintain its previously conforming status until a proposal is made that requires a Sign Permit for the previously conforming sign.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 127.0202(a), any sign that was constructed, erected, or affixed in compliance with the Municipal Code and which became previously conforming because of a rezone of the property on which the sign is located, shall be considered previously conforming only for 7 years from the date of the rezone. After the 7-year period has expired, any such sign is in violation of these regulations, is subject to abatement, and shall be modified to comply with the Land Development Code or shall be removed.
(c) Signs in existence on April 5, 1973, that were constructed, erected, affixed, or maintained in compliance with all previous regulations but which do not comply with applicable zone regulations enacted after April 5, 1973, were required to be removed or brought into compliance with the Municipal Code by May 15, 1984 or May 1, 1988, if an extension of time was granted. Any such signs still remaining are in violation of the Land Development Code, are subject to abatement, and shall be modified to be in compliance with the Land Development Code or shall be removed.
(d) These previously conforming sign procedures do not apply to signs that are designated historical resources. A sign which is a designated historical resource is subject to Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 2 (Historical Resources Regulations).
(e) Signs located on newly annexed properties shall be brought into compliance with the Land Development Code or shall be removed within 5 years after the effective date of annexation.
(f) Maintenance, repair, rebuilding, or alteration of a previously conforming sign where the construction would be less than or equal to 50 percent of the assessed value and would not expand beyond the existing structural envelope, is subject to approval by the City Manager, or designee, in accordance with Process One. The applicant shall submit plans showing existing and proposed site conditions.
(g) Maintenance, repair, rebuilding, or alteration of a previously conforming sign where the construction would exceed 50 percent of the assessed value of the existing previously conforming sign but would not expand beyond the existing structural envelope, requires a Neighborhood Development Permit.
(h) Any previously conforming sign that is maintained, repaired, rebuilt, or altered in accordance with Section 127.0202(f) or (g) shall retain its previously conforming status.
(Amended 6-12-2001 by O-18948 N.S.; effective 12-12-2001.) (Amended 6-15-2026 by O-22109 N.S.; effective 7-15-2026.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-22109 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-22109-SO.pdf ]
