A nonconforming use may not be changed to another nonconforming use of the same or of a higher classification except by a special permit issued pursuant to § 162.030. Once a special permit is granted allowing for a change to another nonconforming use, the use may not again be changed to another nonconforming use, even to the use previously existing, without again obtaining a special permit as aforesaid. A nonconforming use may not be changed to a use in a lower classification. For the purposes hereof, the terms HIGHER CLASSIFICATION and LOWER CLASSIFICATION mean uses higher or lower (above and below) on the list of districts in § 162.030(B) than the district in which the subject use would be classified if a conforming use. The RU1 District thus being the higher classification and the M3 District thus being the lowest classification. In the event a change is made to another use which itself requires a special permit, a special permit must be obtained not only for the change of the nonconforming use, but for the other use itself. The requirements of all applicable special permits must be complied with. Once the right to continue the nonconforming use terminates, however, the special permit shall automatically terminate irrespective of any provisions of this chapter to the contrary.
(1980 Code, § 29.801) Penalty, see § 162.999