A nonconforming use is a use of any lot or building which does
not conform to the regulations applicable to the zone in which the
same shall be located, but which legally existed at the effective
date of these Regulations or at the effective date of any amendment
thereto or any change in the boundaries of any zoning district herein
or hereafter established which creates the nonconformity. A nonconforming
building is one which is arranged, intended or designed for or devoted
to a nonconforming use.
A building or structure, the use of which does not conform to
the use regulations for the zone in which it is situated shall not
be enlarged or extended unless such building or structure, including
such enlargement or extension, is made to conform to all regulations,
including use, for the zone in which it is situated.
14.2.1
Such nonconforming building shall not be structurally altered,
except in conformity to this section; provided, however, that such
maintenance and repairwork 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 existing parts of the building which were manifestly arranged
or designed for such use at the time of the adoption of these Regulations.
14.2.2
If no structural alterations are made, a nonconforming use of
a building may be changed to another nonconforming use which under
the special case procedure of Section 20, the Zoning Commission finds
to be of the same or of a more restricted nature, except that a nonconforming
use in a residence, business or light industrial zone shall not be
changed to a use permitted only in a heavy industrial zone or excluded
from a heavy industrial zone, and except that a nonconforming use
in a heavy industrial zone may not be changed to a use excluded from
such zone.
14.2.3
If any nonconforming use of a building ceases for any reason
for a continuous period of more than one year, or is changed to a
conforming use, or if the building in or on which use is conducted
or maintained is moved any distance for any reason, then any future
use of such building shall be in conformity to the regulations for
the zone in which such building is located.
14.2.4
If any building in or on which any nonconforming use is conducted
or maintained is hereafter removed, the subsequent use of the land
on which such building was located and the subsequent use of any building
thereon shall be in conformity with the regulations for the zone in
which such land or building is located.
Nothing in these Regulations shall prevent the reconstruction
within one year of a building damaged by fire, explosion, accident,
the act of God or of the public enemy to its condition and size prior
to such damage or prevent the restoration of a wall or structural
member.
Any building for which a permit has been duly granted, and the
construction of which shall have been started before the effective
date of these Regulations and which building these Regulations make
nonconforming, may be completed in accordance with plans on file with
the Building Inspector, provided that such construction is diligently
prosecuted and such is completed within one year of the date of these
Regulations.
Any nonconforming use of buildings lawfully existing at the
effective date of these Regulations or of any pertinent amendment
thereto, may be continued and any building so existing which was designed,
arranged, intended for or devoted to a nonconforming use may be reconstructed
and structurally altered and the nonconforming use therein changed,
all subject to the provisions of Section 14.
