A lawful use of land, buildings or structures existing at the
effective date of this chapter may be continued on the lot or in the
structure although it may not conform to this chapter, and any such
structure may be restored or repaired in the event of partial destruction
thereof; provided, however, that none shall be enlarged, extended,
relocated, converted to another use or altered except in conformity
with this chapter, except as permitted below. Land on which a nonconforming
use or structure is located and any nonconforming lot shall not be
subdivided so as to be made more nonconforming.
A nonconforming use shall be considered abandoned if it is terminated
by the owner, if a nonconforming use involving a structure is discontinued
for 12 consecutive months, or if a nonconforming use of land without
structure(s) ceases for a period of six months. The subsequent use
of the abandoned building, structure and/or land shall be in conformity
with this chapter.
Maintenance may be made to a nonconforming use, structure or
lot, provided that the maintenance work does 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 increase the nonconformity
in any manner.