§ 159.155 MANAGING LAND, BUILDINGS AND USES.

   (A)   Nonconforming use of land.

      (1)   The lawful use of land for storage purposes or for advertising signs or billboards which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter shall be discontinued within 12 months from the effective date hereof, and, by reason of subsequent changes in this chapter, shall also be discontinued within 12 months from the effective date of the change.

      (2)   A nonconforming use shall not be extended or enlarged.

   (B)   Nonconforming buildings and uses. The lawful use of a building or premises existing at the effective date hereof may be continued, although the use does not conform with the provisions hereof, except as otherwise provided in this division.

      (1)   Repairs and alterations. Repairs and alterations may be made to a nonconforming building or structure; provided that, no structural alteration shall be made except those required by law or ordinance.

      (2)   Additions and enlargements.

         (a)   A building or structure which does not comply with the height or area regulations shall not be added to or enlarged in any manner unless so modified structure conforms to all the regulations of the district in which it is located.

         (b)   A building or structure lacking sufficient automobile parking space connection therein, as required in §§ 159.140 and 159.141, shall be altered or enlarged only when additional automobile parking space is provided to satisfy the requirements.

      (3)   Moving buildings or structures. No nonconforming building or structure shall be moved, in whole or in part, to any other location on the lot, unless every portion of the building or structure is made to conform to all the regulations of district in which it is located.

      (4)   Damaged buildings or structures. No building or structure which has been damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or the public enemy, to the extent of more than 50% of its value, shall be restored except in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located.

      (5)   Abandonment of nonconforming use. In the event that a nonconforming use of any building or premises is discontinued or revised or its normal operation stopped or revised for a period of six months, the use of the same shall thereafter conform to the regulations of the district in which it is located.

      (6)   Change of uses. The use of a nonconforming building may be changed to a more restricted classification, but not to an equal or a less restricted classification.

(Prior Code, § 9B-7-1)