Subject to the provisions of this section, a use of building or land existing at the time of the legal adoption of the Chapter may be continued even though such use does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter for the district in which it is located.
A nonconforming use of a building or land which has been abandoned shall not thereafter be returned to such a nonconforming use. A nonconforming use shall be considered abandoned as follows:
A. 
When the intent of the owner to discontinue the use is apparent.
B. 
When the characteristic equipment and furnishing of the nonconforming use have been removed from the premises and have not been replaced by similar equipment within 90 days, unless other facts show intention to resume the nonconforming use.
C. 
When a nonconforming use has been discontinued for a period of six months.
D. 
When it has been replaced by a conforming use.
E. 
When it has been changed to another use under permit from the Zoning Hearing Board.
A nonconforming building or structure may be altered, improved, or reconstructed provided such work does not exceed the fair market value of the building or structure or provided the building or structure is changed to a conforming use.
No nonconforming building, structure or use shall be changed to another nonconforming use. Conversion of nonconforming buildings and structures into residential uses shall be permitted in residential districts as a special exception as granted by the Zoning Hearing Board under the following requirements:
A. 
The minimum yard and area requirements are in accordance with the district in which said conversion is located.
B. 
There shall be a maximum of four living units per converted nonconforming building or structure.
C. 
Each living unit contains a minimum of not less than 1,000 square feet of habitable living area.
D. 
Each living unit contains not less than one bathroom and three habitable rooms, at least one of which shall be a bedroom.
E. 
Separate and private sanitary facilities, cooking and dining accommodations are provided for each living unit.
F. 
Fire and safety provisions are certified to be adequate by the Chief of the Township Fire Department.
G. 
A minimum of two off-street parking spaces are provided for each residential unit.
Nothing herein contained shall require any change in plans, construction or designated use of a building or structure for which a zoning permit has been issued or the construction of which shall have been diligently prosecuted within two months of the date of such permit, and the ground-story framework of which shall have been completed within four months of the date of the permit, and which entire building shall be completed according to such plans as filed within one year from the date of legal enactment of this Chapter.
Whenever the boundaries of a district shall be changed so as to transfer an area from one district to another district of a difference classification, the foregoing provisions shall apply to any nonconforming uses existing therein.
A. 
A nonconforming use may be extended as a special exception where the Zoning Hearing Board finds after a public hearing that such uses will not create a hazardous condition and will otherwise meet the following requirements:
(1) 
The extension becomes an attached part of the main structure and does not utilize additional or adjoining land area other than the original parcel.
(2) 
The extension does not encroach upon the yard or height requirements of the district in which the nonconforming use is presently located.
(3) 
The extension is for the purpose of expanding only that nonconforming use in existence at the time of the legal enactment of this Chapter.
(4) 
The expense of such an extension shall not exceed the fair market value of the buildings or structures existing at the time of enactment of this Chapter.
B. 
Extension of a lawful use to any portion of a nonconforming building or structure which existed prior to the enactment of this Chapter shall not be deemed the extension of such nonconforming use.
All nonconforming uses existing at the time of the legal enactment of this Chapter shall be recorded and maintained for public use in the office of the Zoning Officer.
Nothing in this Chapter shall prevent the reconstruction, repairing, rebuilding and continued use of any nonconforming building or structure damaged by fire, collapse, explosion or act of God subsequent to the date of legal enactment of this Chapter wherein the expense of such work does not exceed 100% of the fair market value of the building or structure at the time such damage occurred and reconstruction of the destroyed or damaged buildings is initiated within one year of the date of damage.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be interpreted as authorization for or approval of the continuance of the illegal use of a structure or premises in violation of Township regulations in existence at the time of the effective date of legal enactment of this Chapter.
Nothing in this Chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition any portion of a building or structure declared unsafe by a proper authority.