(a) Any lawful building or structure or use in existence on the effective date of this section (Ordinance 1178-72, passed May 2, 1972) shall be considered a nonconforming building, structure or use and therefore, may be continued although such building, structure or use does not conform to the regulations of a district by reason of amendment to the district boundaries of this Zoning Ordinance. Such nonconforming building, structure or use may be continued.
(b) No building or structure, nor the nonconforming use of a building, structure or land shall be hereafter extended or altered unless such extension or alteration shall conform to the provisions of this Ordinance for the district in which it is located; provided however, that a nonconforming use may be extended throughout those parts of the building which were manifestly arranged or designed for use prior to the effective date of this section, provided no structural alterations, except those required by law or ordinance, are made therein.
(c) A nonconforming use may be changed to one of a similar or higher classification, but no building in which a nonconforming use has been changed to a more restricted use shall again be used or occupied by a less restricted use.
(d) Structural alterations of a building or structure which do not conform to the requirements of this Ordinance, may be made only if such building or structure is made to conform to the requirements of the district in which it is located.
(e) No nonconforming use may be re-established where such nonconforming use has been discontinued for a period of at least one year. Any nonconforming building or structure damaged by fire, explosion, flood, riot or act of God may be reconstructed and used as before. Any such calamity, provided the building has not been destroyed to an extent of more than two-thirds of its fair value, and provided such reconstruction takes place within twelve months of the calamity.
(f) No nonconforming sign, billboard or other commercial advertising structure shall be repaired, altered or extended and any such nonconforming sign, billboard or commercial advertising structure shall be entirely and completely removed from the premises not later than three years from the effective date of this section.
(g) For any renewal, reconstruction, enlargement or other change of any nonconforming use, the owner of the premises must make an application to the Zoning Inspector for a Building Permit. (Ord. 2696-95. Passed 1-4-95.)