A. Signs Existing on Effective Date. For any sign existing in the city as of date of passage of this ordinance, an inventory will be conducted to establish a master sign database. So long as a sign was lawfully permitted at the time of its erection or construction and prior to passage of this ordinance, it will be provided a Nonconforming Sign Permit by administrative action and be exempt from the initial fees adopted under the authority of this ordinance. For any sign on property later annexed to the City, an application for a sign permit shall be submitted within three (3) months of the effective date of the annexation, or within such sooner period as may be established in an annexation agreement between the city and the landowner. Applications received after the applicable date shall not be entitled to the protection of subsection (B), herein:

B. Lapse of Nonconforming Sign Permit. A Nonconforming Sign Permit shall lapse and become void when the owner voluntarily removes the sign from its location, or changes the sign in any way which creates or increases a non-conforming feature of the sign beyond that originally authorized by the Nonconforming Sign Permit.

C. Sign Removal Required. A sign that was originally constructed painted, installed, erected or maintained in conformance with a permit under this ordinance, but for which the permit has lapsed or for which the time allowed for the continuance of a nonconforming sign has expired, shall be forthwith removed without notice or action from the city.