(A) Any existing development as defined in this chapter may be continued and maintained subject to the provisions provided herein.
(B) Expansions to structures classified as existing development must meet the requirements of this chapter; however, the built-upon area of the existing development is not required to be included in the density calculations.
(1) Vacant lots.
(a) This category consists of vacant lots for which plats or deeds have been recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Vance County.
(b) Lots may be used for any of the uses allowed in the watershed area in which it is located, provided where the lot area is below the minimum specified in this chapter, the Watershed Administrator is authorized to issue a watershed protection permit.
(2) Occupied lots.
(a) This category consists of lots occupied for residential purposes at the time of the adoption of this chapter.
(b) These lots may continue to be used.
(3) Nonconforming uses of land.
(a) This category consists of uses, existing at the time of adoption of this chapter, where the use of the land is not permitted to be established hereafter in the watershed area in which it is located.
(b) The uses may be continued except as follows:
1. When the use of land has been changed to an allowed use, it shall not thereafter revert to any prohibited use;
2. The use of land shall be changed only to an allowed use; and
3. When the use ceases for a period of at least 1 year, it shall not be reestablished.
(C) Any existing building or built-upon area not in conformance with the restrictions of this chapter that has been damaged or removed may be repaired and/or reconstructed, provided:
(1) Repair or reconstruction is initiated within 12 months and completed within 2 years of the damage. There are no time restrictions on single-family residential development; and
(2) (a) The total amount of space devoted to built-upon area may not be increased unless stormwater control that equals or exceeds the previous development is provided.
(b) There is no restriction on single-family residential development.
(Ord. 25 § 206, passed 12-6-1993) Penalty, see § 154.999