A. Where a lawful structure exists on September 11, 1978, or at the effective date of an amendment of these zoning regulations that could not be built under the terms of these zoning regulations by reason of restrictions on area, height, yards, or other requirements concerning the structure, such structure may be continued, so long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following conditions:
1. No such structure may be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity;
2. Should such structure be destroyed by any means to an extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at the time of destruction, it shall not be reconstructed except in accordance with the provisions of these regulations; and
3. Should such structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved.
B. If a lawful use of a structure or of a structure and premises in combination exists on September 11, 1978, that would not be allowed in the zoning district under the terms of the adopted zoning regulations, the lawful use may be continued as long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following conditions:
1. No existing structure devoted to a use not permitted by these zoning regulations in the zoning district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered, except in changing the use of the structure to a use permitted in the zoning district in which it is located;
2. Any nonconforming use may be extended throughout any parts of a building which were manifestly arranged or designed for such use at the time of adoption or amendment of these zoning regulations, but no such use shall be extended to occupy any land outside such building;
3. Any structure or structure and land in combination in or on which a nonconforming use is superseded by a permitted use shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which such structure is located and the nonconforming use may not thereafter be resumed;
4. When a nonconforming use of a structure or structure and premises in combination is discontinued or abandoned for six (6) consecutive months, the structure or structure and premises in combination shall not thereafter be used, except in conformance with the regulations of the zoning district in which it is located; and
5. Where nonconforming use status applies to a structure and premises in combination, removal or destruction of the structure shall eliminate the nonconforming status of the land.
(Code 1991, § 12-216)