SECTION 2600   INTENT.
It is the intent of this Ordinance to permit legal nonconforming lots, structures, or uses to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage their survival.
It is recognized that there exists within the districts established by this Ordinance and subsequent amendments, lots, structures and uses of and structures which were lawful before this Ordinance was passed or amended which would be prohibited, regulated, or restricted under the terms of this Ordinance or future amendments.
Such uses are declared by this Ordinance to be incompatible with permitted uses in the districts involved. It is further the intent of this Ordinance that nonconformities not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as grounds for adding other structures or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same .
A of a , a of , or a of a and   not be extended or enlarged after passage of this Ordinance by attachment on a building or of additional signs intended to be seen from off the , or by addition of other uses of a nature which would not be permitted generally in the involved.
To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this Ordinance be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction or designated of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Ordinance and upon which actual building construction has been diligently carried on. Actual construction is hereby defined to include the placing of construction materials in permanent position and fastened in a permanent manner; except that where demolition or removal of an existing building has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, provided work shall be diligently carried on until completion of the building involved.
The following table summarizes the nonconforming regulations contained in this Section:
Summary of Nonconforming Regulations
Issue
Requirements
Summary of Nonconforming Regulations
Issue
Requirements
Period of nonuse before nonconformity must cease
: 180 days
 
Nonconforming : 12 months
Establishment of new conforming
Not permitted
Change in ownership
No affect on nonconformity
Nonconforming single  
be enlarged, subject to conditions
Substitution of one nonconformity for another including change of
Permitted under certain conditions
Landscaping and other site standards must be met under present Ordinance standards
Issue
Requirements
Contiguous nonconformity lots under same ownership
Must be combined
Expansion of nonconformity within building
Permitted subject to conditions
Expansion of nonconformity beyond existing building
Not permitted
Enlargement of nonconforming or buildings
The nonconformity not be increased (example: if a front is nonconforming, expansion is still permitted to the side or rear providing the front is maintained).
Maintenance, structural repairs
Generally permitted
Renovation, modernization
Maximum value: 25% of fair market value
Rebuilding after catastrophe
Permitted if damage is less than 50% of pre-catastrophe fair market value