Except as otherwise provided in this article, the lawful use of land or buildings existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter may be continued although such use or building does not conform to the regulations specified by this chapter for the zone in which such land or building is located.
A nonconforming use shall be adjudged as abandoned when there occurs a cessation of any use or activity by an apparent act or failure to act on the part of the tenant or owners to reinstate such use within a period of one year from the date of cessation or discontinuance.
A nonconforming building or building containing a nonconforming use which shall be wholly or partially destroyed by fire or other casualty may be restored, rebuilt or repaired within one year thereafter and such nonconforming use continued therein.
[Amended 11-10-1997 by L.L. No. 4-1997]
A. 
No nonconforming use may be changed or enlarged.
B. 
The habitable portion of any building, structure or premises devoted to residential use on which a nonconforming use is located may not be altered or changed unless the nonconforming use is terminated.
C. 
No nonconforming lot may be further reduced in size.
D. 
A residential building which is nonconforming by reason of noncompliance with the yard area requirements of this chapter may be altered or enlarged, provided that the nonconforming yard is not further reduced.
E. 
No nonconforming use shall, if once changed into a conforming use, be changed back again to a nonconforming use.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 55-42, Preapproved construction, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 11-10-1997 by L.L. No. 4-1997.
Whenever the boundaries of a district shall be changed so as to transfer an area from one district to another of a different classification, the foregoing provisions shall also apply to any nonconforming uses existing therein or created thereby.