Except as otherwise provided herein, any lawfully established
use of a building or land existing at the time of the enactment of
this chapter, or amendments thereto, may be continued although such
use does not conform with the provisions of this chapter.
A.
Whenever any part of a building, structure or land occupied by a
nonconforming use is changed to or replaced by a use conforming to
the provisions of this chapter, such premises shall not thereafter
be used or occupied by a nonconforming use.
B.
Whenever a nonconforming use of a building or structure, or part
thereof, has been discontinued, as evidenced by vacancy for a period
of 12 consecutive months, or whenever there is evidence of a clear
intent on the part of the owner to abandon a nonconforming use, such
use shall not after being discontinued or abandoned be reestablished,
and the use of the premises thereafter shall be in conformity with
the regulations of the district.
C.
Where no enclosed building is involved, voluntary discontinuance
of a nonconforming use for a period of six months shall constitute
abandonment, and shall not thereafter be used in a nonconforming manner.
Maintenance and extension of a nonconforming structure are permitted,
however, no substantial improvements may be made during the life of
the structure.
No building damaged by fire or other causes to the extent of
more than 75% of its true or full value, as computed through the use
of equalization rates current at the time, shall be repaired or rebuilt
except in conformity with the regulation 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 different
classification, the foregoing provisions shall also apply to any nonconforming
uses existing therein.
