All uses existing on the effective date of this Regulation of any amendment hereto, that preexisted or were permitted pursuant to the 1991 Mexico Beach Land Development Codes and have continued pursuant to the standards for nonconforming uses shall be considered nonconforming under the terms of this Regulation. Uses not legally permitted by this Regulation or the 1991 Mexico Beach Land Development Codes or which did not preexist the 1991 Mexico Beach Land Development Codes shall be considered illegal. This section is to protect the rights of property owners who have lawfully established and continuously maintained a use prior to the effective date of this Regulation. These non-conforming uses may continue in their present condition, but shall not be substantially enlarged, expanded, extended, or be allowed to add other structures. In addition, the following regulations apply to non-conforming uses:
A. Vacant Lots. Vacant parcels of record or recorded platted lots that are within a land use category that allows for residential development and that existed on or prior to the original adoption date of this Code, shall not be prohibited from having one (1) dwelling unit due to failing to meet the otherwise applicable density requirements.
B. If a use is discontinued or abandoned for a period of six (6) months or more, the use may not continue.
C. As pursuant to Policy 1.8.4 of the Comprehensive Plan, the use shall be considered substantially changed, intensified, or expanded from the current use when an increase in the number of trips generated as deemed by a comparative analysis utilizing the Institute of Traffic Engineers Trip Generation Manual, most recent edition.
(Ord. 711, passed 2-5-2019)