(a) Maintenance. Minor repairs to and routine maintenance of property where nonconformities exist are permitted and encouraged.
(b) Restoration and Reconstruction. Nothing in this Unified Development Ordinance shall prevent the reconstruction, repairing, rebuilding, and continued use of any legal nonconforming building or structure damaged by fire, collapse, explosion, or acts of God, subsequent to the date of this section as before such calamity, provided such work does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the County Auditor’s appraised valuation of the structure to be renovated (such costs may be estimated by the property owner’s insurance carrier or a cost estimate prepared by a certified appraiser within the past two (2) years). The “cost” of renovation, repair, or replacement shall mean the total cost of all such intended work, and no person may seek to avoid the intent of this subsection by failing to provide a reasonable valuation for labor or by doing such work incrementally over a lengthy period.
(c) Unsafe Structures. Nothing in this Unified Development Ordinance shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any portion of a building or structure declared unsafe by a proper authority. Where appropriate, a building permit for such activities shall be required.