[Amended 6-28-2007 by L.L. No. 10-2007; 5-21-2009 by L.L. No. 4-2009]
A.
Determination of nonconforming use. Any lawfully established use of property legally existing at the time of the passage of this chapter that does not conform to the regulations thereof, except those established pursuant to the issuance of a use variance, shall be deemed a nonconforming use.
B.
Continuation. Any nonconforming use which existed lawfully at the time of adoption of this chapter may be continued, subject to the following provisions.
(1)
Extension, modification or replacement.
(a)
Extension. A nonconforming use shall not be enlarged or extended beyond the area occupied by such use. No structure occupied by or accessory to such use shall be constructed, enlarged or extended, except for the following:
(b)
Replacement. If a nonconforming use is modified or replaced in whole or in part by another use, such use shall conform to this chapter.
[1]
Any nonconforming use undergoing a change of use which does not comply with section § 190-20C of this chapter but has a setback of at least 25 feet from the boundary of any Single Family Residential or Multifamily Residential Zoning District is prohibited unless a special use permit is obtained as set forth in § 190-57.
[Added 5-1-2014 by L.L. No. 8-2014]
(c)
In an OR, NCOR, COR or HCOR District where a mixed-use site is not in conformance with respect to the required proportion of commercial to residential use, an existing commercial use may be replaced with a permitted commercial use, provided no other violations of this chapter are created by such replacement.
(2)
Discontinuance. A nonconforming use shall not be changed unless changed to a permitted use. A nonconforming use, if changed to a permitted use, may not thereafter be changed back to a nonpermitted use. When a nonconforming use has been discontinued for a period of 18 months or more, intent to abandon or relinquish such nonconforming use shall be presumed, and such nonconforming use shall be deemed abandoned and shall not thereafter be reestablished, and the use shall be changed to a permitted use.
(3)
Destruction and restoration. If any building or structure in which a nonconforming use is conducted is hereafter removed or destroyed through natural or other cause beyond the control of the owner, to the extent that the loss is 75% or more of its fair market value at the time of such damage, the use shall not be reinstated. If any such building or structure is intentionally removed or destroyed to any extent by its owner or agent thereof, the nonconforming use shall not be reinstated.