1288.01  NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS OR USES.
   (a)   Continuation. Any lawful use of a building or land existing at the effective date of this Zoning Code (Ordinance 404, passed March 25, 1968), or authorized by a building permit issued prior thereto, may be continued although such use does not conform to the provisions of this Zoning Code.
   (b)   Extension. No alteration or addition shall be made after the effective date of this Zoning Code which would extend a nonconforming building or use, unless authorized as a special exception after a public hearing, provided that any extension or enlargement shall conform to the area and height regulations of the district in which such use is situated.
   (c)   Changes. A nonconforming use of a building or land may be changed to a nonconforming use of the same or a more restricted classification, if no structural alterations are made therein, provided that such change may include structural alterations when authorized as a special exception. Whenever a nonconforming use of a building or land has been changed to a use of a more restricted classification or to a conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed to a use of a less restricted classification.
   (d)   Restoration. A nonconforming building wholly or partially destroyed by fire, explosion, flood or other phenomenon, or legally condemned, may be reconstructed and used for the same nonconforming use, provided that the reconstructed building shall not exceed in height, area and volume the building destroyed or condemned, and that building reconstruction shall be commenced within one year from the date the building was destroyed or condemned and shall be carried on without interruption.
   (e)   Abandonment. If a nonconforming use of a building ceases for a continuous period of one year or more, or if a nonconforming use of land ceases for any length of time for any reason, subsequent use of such building or land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(Ord. 404.  Passed 3-25-68.)