The lawful use of land, buildings or structures
existing on the effective date of this chapter may be continued although
they may not conform to the provisions of this chapter, provided that
none shall be enlarged, extended, relocated, converted to another
use or altered except in conformity with this chapter and except as
permitted herein. Land on which a nonconforming use or structure is
located shall not be reduced in size nor shall any already nonconforming
use be made more nonconforming in any manner.
A nonconforming structure or lot shall be considered
abandoned if:
A. The use is terminated by the owner.
B. The nonconforming use involving a structure is discontinued
for 12 consecutive months.
C. The nonconforming use of land ceases for a period
of 12 months.
Any nonconforming building, structure or use
changed to conform to the provisions of this chapter shall not be
changed back to a nonconforming status.
Repairs and maintenance may be made to a nonconforming
use, structure or lot, provided that the repair and maintenance work
do not change the use, expand the building or the functional use of
the building, increase the area of a lot used for a nonconforming
purpose or otherwise increase the nonconformity in any manner.
Any nonconforming use, structure or lot may
be sold and continue to function in the same nonconforming manner.
Any nonconforming residential structure may
be enlarged without requiring a variance from side or rear yard setback
regulations, provided that such enlargement or addition to such structure
does not extend its existing front dimension nor extend beyond the
farthermost existing building line into the side and/or rear yard
area; and further provided that such residential use is a conforming
use.