Section 201.10. Removal of nonconforming signs.

 

(1)  Nonconforming signs, as defined by s. 84.30 (5) , Stats., shall be eliminated in accordance with s. 84.30 , Stats., and these rules. Compensation for removal of a nonconforming sign shall be paid in accordance with s. 84.30 (6) to (8) , Stats., provided the sign has complied with the conditions in sub. (2) .

(2)  In order to lawfully maintain and continue a nonconforming sign, or a grandfathered sign under s. 84.30 (3) (d) , Stats., the following conditions apply:

(a) The sign must have been actually in existence at the time the applicable state law became effective, except where a permit for the construction of a sign was granted by the state prior to the effective date of the state law and the sign owner acted in good faith and expended sums in reliance thereon. This exception shall not apply in instances where large numbers of permits were applied for and issued to a single sign owner, obviously in anticipation of the passage of a state control law.

(b) There must be existing property rights in the sign affected by the state law.

(c) The sign may be sold, leased, or otherwise transferred without affecting its status, but its location may not be changed. A nonconforming sign removed as a result of a right-of-way taking or for any other reason may be relocated to a conforming area but cannot be re-established at a new location as a nonconforming use.

(d) The sign must have been lawful on the effective date of the state law and must continue to be lawfully maintained.

(e) The sign must remain substantially the same as it was on the effective date of the state law, and may not be enlarged. Reasonable repair and maintenance of the sign, including a change of advertising message, is not a change which would terminate nonconforming rights. Customary maintenance ceases and a substantial change occurs if repairs or maintenance, excluding message changes, on a sign exceeds 50% of the replacement costs of the sign.

(f) The sign may continue as long as it is not destroyed, abandoned or discontinued. A sign shall be considered destroyed if it is damaged in excess of 50% of its replacement cost. Any sign destroyed by criminal or tortious acts may be replaced upon a showing by the sign owner that the sign was so destroyed and upon written approval from the region office. Applications for replacement signs shall be submitted to the region office. If the region office fails to send notice of its decision within 10 days after it receives an application, the sign owner may assume that replacement has been approved. As an alternative to replacement, the region office and sign owner may negotiate for the acquisition of the sign which was so destroyed. Approvals of replacements shall contain such terms and conditions as are necessary to ensure that the replacement sign is essentially the same as the sign destroyed. A sign is abandoned or discontinued if for a period of 12 months or longer it is composed of obsolete advertising matter or is without advertising matter or is in need of substantial repair, provided that any period of involuntary discontinuance which occurs during the period a highway is closed shall not be considered. A sign is abandoned if the name of the owner does not appear thereon and if the name and address of the current owner are not readily ascertainable from records on file with the department.

(3)  Since the provisions of sub. (2) reflect the law of this state with respect to the treatment of nonconforming uses and the derivative policy of the department with respect to nonconforming signs, the adoption of sub. (2) shall not be construed to affect the applicability or validity of such state law or derivative policy prior to the adoption of sub. (2) .

Cr. Register, September, 1972, No. 201 , eff. 10-1-72; r and recr. Register, October, 1976, No. 250 , eff. 11-1-76; renum. from Hy 19.10 and am. (1), (2) (intro.) and (f), Register, July, 1980, No. 295 , eff. 8-1-80; am. (2) (intro.), Register, April, 2001, No. 544 , eff. 5-1-01; correction in (2) (f) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. , Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686 .