(A) A structure or the use of a structure or premises which was lawful before the passage or amendment of the chapter, but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter may be continued subject to the following conditions.
(1) If such use is discontinued for 24 consecutive months, any future use of the building premises shall conform to this chapter. The Utility Department shall notify the Zoning Administration in writing of instances of nonconforming uses where utility services have been discontinued for a period of 24 months.
(2) Uses or adjuncts thereof that are or become nuisances shall not be entitled to continue as nonconforming uses.
(B) If any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed by any means, including flood, it shall not be reconstructed if the cost is more than 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred except that if it is reconstructed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. This limitation does not include the cost of any alteration to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, building, or safety codes or regulations or the cost of any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
(Prior Code, § 11-313) (Ord. 710, passed 11-17-2003)