Legal nonconforming signs.

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 9-113

in effect

Sec. 9-113. - Legal nonconforming signs. (a) Notification of nonconformity. Upon a determination that a sign does not conform to this article, the building inspector shall use reasonable efforts to so notify either personally or in writing the user or owner of the property on which the sign is located of the following: (1) The signs nonconformity. (2) Whether the sign is eligible for characterization either as legal nonconforming or unlawful. (b) Signs eligible for characterization as "legal nonconforming." Any sign located within the city limits on the date Ordinance No. 2686 is adopted [July 6, 2010], or located in an area on such date that is thereafter annexed to the city, which does not conform to the provisions of this article, but which was legally erected prior to the date this ordinance is adopted is eligible for a characterization as a "legal nonconforming" sign. (c) Loss of legal nonconforming status. Except when grandfather rights are provided in (d) below, a legal nonconforming designation is lost if: (1) The sign is altered in any way in structure or copy (except for changeable copy signs and normal maintenance), which tends to or makes the sign less in compliance with the requirements of this article than it was before the alteration. (2) The sign is relocated to a position making it less in compliance with the requirements of this article. (3) Changed to another nonconforming sign. (4) Expanded in width or breath. In such cases where the Mississippi Department of Transportation allows the sign in question to be extended in height to clear existing vegetation, such sign will be permitted to be extended in height to conform to Mississippi Department of Transportation regulations and/or direction. In any event, the sign existing hereunder shall conform to the provisions for outdoor advertising signs specified in subsection 9-91(h)(4). (5) Re-established after deterioration, damage or destruction of more than fifty (50) percent of the value, or fifty (50) percent of the area of the sign. (6) On the happening of any of [subsections] (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) the sign shall be immediately brought into compliance with this article with a new permit secured therefor, or shall be removed. (d) Grandfather rights. Any outdoor advertising sign (billboard) which is legally erected or permitted as of the date Ordinance No. 2686 is adopted [July 6, 2010] shall be "grandfathered" with the registered owner, operator, and/or holder of said sign and allowed to remain in place under the terms of this article providing it maintains its legal nonconforming status in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) hereof. Further, in the event a legal conforming and/or legal nonconforming outdoor advertising sign is damaged or destroyed by an act of God or similar force majeure, such sign shall be allowed to be repaired or replaced, upon removal of the applicable damaged sign structure(s), by the registered owner, operator, and/or holder of said sign on the same site providing no change is made which makes the sign less in compliance with this article and without the necessity of removing additional sign structure(s). Should any legal nonconforming sign be required to be moved because of a highway or road widening or other government project, and the sign can be located in approximately the same location but outside the new right-of-way or project boundaries, said relocation shall be allowed, by the registered owner, operator, and/or holder of said sign, but the sign shall continue to maintain its legal conforming and/or legal nonconforming status as applicable. (Ord. No. 1764, § 9.1, 3-17-87; Ord. No. 1774, § 5, 9-8-87; Ord. No. 2115, § 1, 12-17-97; Ord. No. 2145, § 1, 9-10-98; Ord. No. 2518, § 9, 2-6-07; Ord. No. 2686, § 13, 7-6-10; Ord. No. 2686, 7-6-10)

Source: City of Gulfport, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/gulfport/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH9PLDE_ARTIVSI_S9-113LENOSIFetched: 11/1/2026