Where, at the time of passage of these regulations, lawful use
of land existed which would not be permitted by the requirements imposed
by the zoning regulations and where such use involves no individual
structure with a replacement cost exceeding $1,000, the use may be
continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful, provided no such
nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased, nor extended to
occupy a greater area of land than was occupied at the effective date
or amendment of these regulations.
If at any time and for any reason a property
owner demonstrates an intent to abandon or cease any such nonconforming
use of land, any subsequent use of such land shall conform to the
requirements specified in the zoning regulations for the zone in which
such land is located.
No additional structure not conforming to the
requirements of the zoning regulations shall be erected in connection
with such nonconforming use of land.
If lawful use involving individual structures
with a replacement cost of $1,000 or more, or of structures and premises
in combination, exists at the effective date of adoption or amendment
of these regulations that would not be allowed in the zone under the
terms of these regulations, the lawful use may be continued so long
as it remains otherwise lawful, including subsequent sales of the
property, subject to the following provisions.
If any existing structure devoted to a use not
permitted by these regulations in the zone in which it is located
is proposed to be enlarged, extended, constructed, reconstructed,
moved or structurally altered, except in changing the use of the structure
to a use permitted in the zone in which it is located, then such enlargement,
extension, construction, reconstruction, move or structural alteration
is subject to approval or denial by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
If no structural alterations are made, any nonconforming
use of a structure, or structure and premises, may be changed to another
nonconforming use, provided that the Zoning Board of Appeals, either
by general rule or by making findings in the specific case, shall
find that the proposed use is equally appropriate or more appropriate
to the zone than the existing nonconforming use. In permitting such
changes, the Zoning Board of Appeals may require appropriate conditions
and safeguards in accord with the provisions of the zoning regulations.
Any structure, or structure and land in combination,
in or on which a nonconforming use is superseded by a permitted use
shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zone, and the
nonconforming use may not thereafter be resumed.
Where nonconforming use status applies to a
structure or to a structure and premises in combination, voluntary
removal or destruction of the structure shall eliminate the nonconforming
status of the land.
On any nonconforming structure or portion of
a structure containing a nonconforming use, work may be done on ordinary
repairs.
Nonconforming structures and buildings cannot
be replaced after involuntary destruction if the degree of such destruction
exceeds 50% of the structure.