Except as otherwise provided in this section, any use, building,
or structure existing at the time of enactment of this chapter may
be continued, although it is not in conformity with the regulations
specified by this chapter.
If a nonconforming use of land or of a building or structure
ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of two years or
more, subsequent use of such building, structure, or land shall be
in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
Any lawful nonconforming use of land exclusive of buildings
and structures and the use contained therein, may be extended upon
the lot upon which it existed on September 19, 1990, but such extension
shall conform to area and lot regulations and to the design standards
of this chapter. The extension of a nonconforming use on a lot shall
be limited to the lot which was in existence on September 19, 1990,
or any amendment thereto creating the nonconformity.
Any nonconforming use may be replaced or substituted by another
nonconforming use by special exception, if the Zoning Hearing Board
determines that the proposed use is at least equally compatible with
the surrounding area than the original nonconforming use. In addition,
the proposed nonconforming use shall not increase any dimensional
nonconformities. The Zoning Hearing Board may attach reasonable conditions
to the special exception to keep the use compatible within its surroundings.
It is the express intent and purpose of this chapter that if
a building, structure, sign or land was expanded or extended to the
limits of expansion for a nonconforming building, structure, sign
or use of land as authorized by a prior zoning regulation or ordinance,
no further expansion of said building, structure, sign or land shall
be authorized. In the event a nonconforming building, structure, sign
or use of land was expanded to a portion of the limits of expansion
authorized by a prior zoning regulation or ordinance, additional expansion,
if permitted by this chapter, shall only be authorized to the amount
of expansion not previously utilized pursuant to said prior zoning
regulation or ordinance.
In any district in which single-family dwellings are permitted,
a single-family dwelling may be erected on any lot of record in existence
on September 19, 1990, provided that all setback, height and lot coverage
requirements of the zone in which the nonconforming lot is located
are met.
Any single-family detached dwelling that was legally in existence
as of September 19, 1990, may be expanded without obtaining a special
exception or variance, provided that such expansion does not result
in a further encroachment into the yard setback requirement or exceed
the lot coverage requirement within the zone.