A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the lawful use of land or buildings existing on the date of the adoption of this chapter may be continued as a legal nonconforming although such use of building does not conform to the regulations specified in this chapter. However, the following provisions shall apply to all such nonconforming uses:
(1) 
No nonconforming lot shall be further reduced in size.
(2) 
Property owners at the time of the adoption of this chapter may expand an existing nonconforming use up to a 50% increase in ground floor area while maintaining the same nonconforming use and meeting setback, green space, building height, and FAR requirements. Otherwise, a nonconforming use may be expanded by grant of a variance by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(3) 
After the date of adoption, no nonconforming building, with the exception of legally nonconforming single-family and two-family uses, shall be enlarged, extended or increased unless such enlargement would tend to reduce the degree of nonconformance. This shall not be interpreted to prohibit additions to residential dwellings that do not impact the degree of nonconformance with regard to setbacks or minimum lot size.
B. 
Discontinuance. In any district, whenever a nonconforming use of land, premises, building or structure, or any part or portion thereof, has been discontinued for a period of one year, such nonconforming use shall not be reestablished, and all future uses shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Such discontinuance of the active and continuous operation of such nonconforming use, or a part or portion thereof, for such period of one year is hereby construed and considered to be an abandonment of such nonconforming use, regardless of any reservation of an intent not to abandon the same or of an intent to resume active operations. If actual abandonment in fact is evidenced by the removal of buildings, structures, machinery, equipment and other evidences of such considered to be completed, and all rights to reestablish or continue such nonconforming use shall thereupon terminate.
C. 
Except as allowed by § 285-76 regarding nonconforming lots, no building damaged by fire or other causes to the extent of more than 25% of its area shall be repaired or rebuilt except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any wall, floor or roof which has been declared unsafe by the Zoning Officer.
D. 
A nonconforming building may not be reconstructed or structurally altered during its life to an extent exceeding in aggregate cost 50% of the assessed value of the building unless said building is changed to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
E. 
Amortization. Except as otherwise provided by New York State law, the Planning Board may provide for the timely modification or removal of a nonconforming structure or use of land. After appropriate financial studies to determine a valid amortization schedule, the City Council may establish a reasonable time period during which the owner may recover or amortize the amount of investment in the nonconforming use, and after which the nonconforming use shall be modified or removed in order to comply with the City's long-term planning goals and zoning ordinance.
F. 
Changes. Once changed to a conforming use, no building or land shall be permitted to revert to a nonconforming use.
A residential lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter that is less than the required area or width or that cannot meet the required front setback for any residential use in the district and that was owned or under contract for purchase by persons other than those owning or leasing adjoining lots at the time of adoption of these regulations may be used for residential purposes, provided that the lot has a front setback equal to at least 60% of the required minimum and that minimum side and rear setback requirements can be met.