Within the districts established by the Zoning Code or amendments that may later be adopted, there exist lots, structures, and uses of land and structures which were lawful before the Zoning Code was adopted or amended, but which would be prohibited, regulated, or restricted under the terms of the Zoning Code or future amendment. It is the intent of this chapter to permit these nonconformities to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage their survival. It is further the intent of this chapter that nonconformities shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, or be used as grounds for adding other structures or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require change in the plans, construction, or designated use of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of the Zoning Code and upon which actual building construction has been diligently carried on. Actual construction is hereby defined to include the placing of construction materials in permanent position and fastened in a permanent manner; except that where demolition or removal of an existing building has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding, such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, provided that such work shall be diligently carried on until completion of the building involved.
In any district in which single-family dwellings are permitted, notwithstanding limitations imposed by other provisions of the Zoning Code, a single-family dwelling and customary accessory buildings may be erected on any single lot of record at the effective date of adoption or amendment of the Zoning Code. This provision shall apply even though such lot fails to meet the requirements for area or width, or both, that are generally applicable in the district.
Where, at the effective date of adoption or amendment of the Zoning Code, lawful use of land exists that is made no longer permissible under the terms of the Zoning Code as enacted or amended, such use may be continued subject to the following provisions:
1. No such nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased or extended to occupy a greater area of land than was occupied at the effective date of the adoption or amendment of the Zoning Code.
2. No such nonconforming use shall be moved in whole or in part to any other portion of the lot or parcel occupied by such use at the effective date of the adoption or amendment of the Zoning Code.
3. If any such nonconforming use of land ceases for any reason for a period of more than six months, any subsequent use of such land shall conform to the regulations specified by the Zoning Code for the district in which such land is located.
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