(a) Definition. A nonconforming use is a use of land, buildings, or structures that was lawfully established prior to the effective date of this chapter, or a subsequent amendment thereto, but does not conform to the use regulations of article II of this chapter for the zoning district in which it is located.
(b) Regulations. Nonconforming uses may be continued subject to the following limitations:
(1) No nonconforming use shall be extended, expanded, enlarged, or moved to occupy a different or greater area of land, buildings, or structures than was occupied by such use at the time it became nonconforming, provided that a nonconforming use may be extended throughout any parts of a building which were specifically designed and arranged for such use at the time it became nonconforming.
(2) No building or structure devoted to a nonconforming use shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered unless such building or structure is thereafter devoted to a conforming use.
(3) When a building or structure devoted to a nonconforming use is damaged to the extent of 50 percent or more of its current assessed taxable value, such a building, if restored, shall thereafter be devoted to conforming uses.
(4) If a nonconforming use ceases for more than 120 consecutive days or a total of 180 days in any 12-month period, subsequent use of the land or structures previously devoted to such use shall thereafter be devoted to conforming uses.
(c) Discontinuance. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any nonconforming use of land and any nonconforming use of structures with a total replacement cost of less than $5,000.00 at the time such use became nonconforming shall cease within five years after the date of notice of nonconformity required in section 14-557, or within 20 years after the construction of such structures, whichever is later.
(Ord. of 7-10-2000, § 12.3; Amend. of 8-3-2020)