Except as otherwise provided in this article,
the lawfully permitted use of land or buildings existing at the time
of the adoption of this chapter may be continued although such use
does not conform to the standards specified in this chapter for the
zone in which such land or building is located. Said uses shall be
deemed nonconforming uses.
Where no building is involved, the nonconforming
use of land may be continued; provided, however, that no such nonconforming
use shall be enlarged or increased, nor shall be extended to occupy
a greater area of land than that occupied by such use at the time
of the adoption of this chapter, unless specifically allowed by other
provision in this chapter, nor shall any such nonconforming use be
moved in whole or in part to any other portion of the lot or parcel
of land occupied by such nonconforming use at the time of the adoption
of this chapter; provided, further, that if such nonconforming use
of land, or any portion thereof, ceases for any reasons for any continuous
period of more than six months, or is changed to a conforming use,
any future use of the land shall be in conformity with the provisions
of this chapter. No nonconforming use of land shall be changed to
another nonconforming use.
A.
A building or structure, the use of which does not conform to the use regulations for the district in which it is situated, shall not be enlarged or extended unless the use therein is changed to a conforming use (see also § 315-73).
B.
Such nonconforming building shall not be structurally
altered to an extent greater than 50% of its actual value, unless
such alterations are required by law; provided, however, that such
maintenance and repair work as is required to keep a nonconforming
building or structure in sound condition shall be permitted; and provided,
further, that any such nonconforming use may be extended throughout
any parts of the building which were manifestly arranged or designed
for such use at the time of the adoption of this chapter.
C.
A nonconforming use of a building may be changed only
to a conforming use.
D.
If any nonconforming use of a building ceases for
any reason for a continuous period of more than six months, or is
changed to a conforming use, or if the building in or on which such
use is conducted or maintained is moved for any distance whatever
for any reason, then any future use of such building shall be in conformity
with the standards specified by this chapter for the district in which
such building is located.
E.
If any building in which any nonconforming use is
conducted or maintained is hereafter removed or damaged by any cause
beyond 50% of its assessed value, the subsequent use of the land on
which such building was located and the subsequent use or location
of any building thereon shall be in conformity with the standards
specified by this chapter for the district in which such land or building
is located.
A building that is conforming in use, but does not conform to the height, yard or land coverage requirements of this chapter, shall not be considered to be nonconforming within the meaning of § 315-72. However, no building permit shall be issued for any alteration, modification or addition which would result in an increase of any existing nonconformity.
If any building legally nonconforming with respect
to its size or location on the lot, but containing a permitted use,
shall be destroyed by any means, it may be repaired or reconstructed
to the same size and on the same location. All repairs or reconstruction
for such nonconforming structure shall be started within one year
of the date on which the destruction occurred.
Regardless of any other provisions of this chapter,
every sign which, after the adoption of this chapter, may exist as
a nonconforming use in any district shall be discontinued and removed,
or changed to conform to the standards of said district, within a
period of 18 months from the date of adoption of this chapter.
