(a) Before the use or occupancy of any building or part thereof can be changed, such building shall be made to conform substantially to the requirements of this Building and Housing Code for new buildings. When the use or occupancy of only a portion of a building is changed and that portion is separate from the remainder of the building for fire protection as required by law, then only the portion of the building so separated shall be required to conform to the provisions of this Building and Housing Code for new buildings, except that means of egress from the building shall be provided for such use or occupancy as required for new buildings.
(b) A use or occupancy shall be deemed to be changed when changed from a class of subclass to another class or subclass as classified, according to use or occupancy, in this Building and Housing Code and/or the Ohio Building Code.
(c) Nothing in this Building and Housing Code shall require the removal, alteration or abandonment of, nor prevent the continuance of the use and occupancy of, a lawfully existing building or structure, except as may be necessary for the safety of life or property, when it is lawfully occupied or used.
(Ord. 42-1981. Passed 2-23-81.)