The lawful use of any land or building existing
at the time of the enactment of this chapter may be continued although
such use may not conform with the provisions of this chapter, except
as hereinafter provided.
A nonconforming use may be changed to a conforming
use, and when so changed to a more restrictive classification, it
shall not thereafter resume the less restrictive use.
No building which has been damaged by fire or
other natural causes to the extent of more than 50% of its equalized
assessed value for county tax purposes shall be repaired or rebuilt
except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter.
No nonconforming building shall be altered nor
a nonconforming use of building or land extended, except as authorized
by the Board of Appeals.
Nothing in this article shall prohibit the completion
of any lawful structure for which the excavation has been prepared
and the foundation walls constructed at the date this chapter takes
effect; provided, however, that construction must be completed within
a period of one year from that date.
Whenever a nonconforming use has been abandoned
or discontinued for a period of one year, any future use shall be
in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
[Added 9-1-1970]
The foregoing restrictions on nonconforming
uses shall not apply to or limit alteration or extension to nonconforming
residential or agricultural uses, provided that such alteration or
extension does not increase the nonconformity.
