The lawful use of a building or premises existing at the time of adoption of this chapter may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions hereof, and such use may be extended throughout the building or premises lawfully acquired previous to the adoption of this chapter and on which such use is located. A nonconforming use may be changed to a use of the same or higher classification according to the provisions of this chapter and whenever a district shall hereafter be changed to a use of the same or higher classification according to the provisions of this chapter, and whenever a district shall hereafter be changed, any then existing nonconforming use in such changed district may be continued or changed to a use of a similar or higher classification, provided all other regulations governing the new use are complied with. Whenever a nonconforming use of a building has been discontinued or changed to a higher classification or to a conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed to a use of lower classification.
No use of property by buildings or otherwise, which has been damaged by fire or other causes to the extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its value, shall be repaired or rebuilt without conforming with the regulations of this chapter. (Ord. 37, 9-11-1941)