(a) Continuing Existing Uses. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the lawfully permitted use of land or buildings existing at the time of the adoption of this Zoning Ordinance may be continued, although such uses do not conform to the standards specified in this Zoning Ordinance for the district in which such land or building is located. However, no land shall be subdivided so as to create a nonconforming lot, use, building, or other structure, or make a nonconforming lot, use, building, or other structure more nonconforming from the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance.
(b) Nonconforming Use of Land. Where no building or structure is involved, the nonconforming use of land may be continued; provided, however, that no such nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased, nor shall it be extended to occupy a greater area of land than that occupied by such use at the time of the adoption of this Zoning Ordinance, unless specifically allowed by other provisions in the Ordinance, nor shall any such nonconforming use be moved in whole or in part to any other portion of the lot or parcel of land occupied by such nonconforming at the time of adoption of this Zoning Ordinance; provided further, that if such nonconforming use of land, or any portion thereof, ceases for any reasons for any continuous period of more than one year, or is changed to a conforming use, any future use of land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance. No nonconforming use of land shall be changed to another nonconforming use.
(c) Nonconforming Use of Buildings. A building or structure, including a sign, the use of which does not conform to the use regulations for the district in which it is situated, shall not be enlarged or extended. Such sign or nonconforming building shall not be structurally altered to an extent greater than fifty percent (50%) of its equalized assessment valuation, unless such alterations are required by law; provided, however, that such maintenance and repair work as is required to keep a nonconforming building or structure in sound condition shall be permitted; and provided, further, that any such nonconforming use may be extended throughout any parts of the building which were arranged or designed for such use at the time of the adoption of this Zoning Ordinance. A nonconforming use may be changed only to a conforming use. If any nonconforming use of a building or sign ceases for any reason for a continuous period of more than one year, or is changed to a conforming use, or if the building in or on which such use is conducted or maintained is moved for any distance whatsoever, for any reason, then any further use of such building shall be in conformity with the standards specified by this Zoning Ordinance for the district in which the building is located. If any building or sign in which any nonconforming use is conducted or maintained is hereafter removed, the subsequent use of the land on which such buildings was located and the subsequent use of any sign or building thereon shall be in conformity with the standards specified by this Zoning Ordinance for the district in which such land, building, or sign is located.
(d) Nonconformity, Other Than Use. A building that is conforming in use but which does not conform to the height, yard, land coverage. Parking or loading space requirements of this Zoning Ordinance, shall not be considered to be nonconforming within the meaning of subsection (c) hereof. No permit shall be issued that will result in the increase of any such nonconformity.
(e) Restoration. No building, structure or sign damaged by fire or causes to the extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its equalized assessed value or of its depreciated value shall be repaired or rebuilt except in conformity with the regulations of this Zoning Ordinance.
(f) Completion of Buildings and Signs Under Construction. Any building, extension, or alteration for which a permit has been duly granted, the construction of which has been started before the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance, or of a pertinent amendment thereto, and the ground story framework of which, including the second tier of beams, has been completed within one year after the adoption of this Zoning Ordinance or amendment thereto, may be completed in accordance with plans on file with the Zoning Inspector, provided that such construction is diligently prosecuted and the building is completed within two years of the adoption of this Zoning Ordinance. If construction progress has been substantial on any sign, this paragraph shall apply to it. (Ord. 97-27. Passed 6-19-97.)