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Northfield council holds first reading of sign-code amendment to require conformance on property sale or new tenancy
Summary
On first reading Jan. 25, the council heard Ordinance No. 2023-03, which would amend Section 1280.20 to require nonconforming signs be brought into compliance when a property is sold or a new tenant moves in; Law Director Brad Bryan will amend the text to list the original sign-code enactment date for clarity and return it to the next meeting.
Law Director Brad Bryan read Ordinance No. 2023-03 at the Village of Northfield council meeting on Jan. 25; the ordinance is an emergency amendment to Section 1280.20 of the Codified Ordinances relating to nonconforming signs.
The proposed change would require signs that do not meet the new sign code to be brought into conformance within the statutory period "or whenever a sign needs to be replaced," and would also trigger conformance when a business or property is purchased or a new tenant rents the property. Service Superintendent Jason Walters requested the amendment to close what he characterized as a practical enforcement gap.
Councilmember Alan Hipps asked that the ordinance explicitly list the original sign-code passage date that starts the 10-year conformance clock; Bryan said he would add that language and place a revised ordinance on the agenda for the next council meeting.
Why this matters: changing triggers for nonconforming sign compliance shifts the practical enforcement moment from passive replacement to events tied to property transfers or tenancy changes, which could accelerate required sign upgrades for properties with legacy signage. The amendment remains at first reading and no council vote on adoption was recorded.
Next step: Law Director Brad Bryan will prepare the amended ordinance with the specified passage date for consideration at the next council meeting.
