Except as otherwise provided in this article, the lawful use of land or buildings existing at the date of the adoption of this chapter may be continued, although such use or building does not conform to the regulations specified by this chapter for the zone in which such land or buildings are located; provided, however, that:
A. 
No nonconforming lot shall be further reduced in size.
B. 
No nonconforming building shall be enlarged, extended or increased, unless such enlargement would tend to reduce the degree of nonconformance.
C. 
No nonconforming use may be expanded.
A nonconforming use shall be adjudged as abandoned when there occurs a cessation of any use or activity by an apparent act or failure to act, on the part of the tenant or owners, to reinstate such use within a period of one year from the date of cessation or discontinuance. Such use shall not thereafter be reinstated, and the structure shall not be reoccupied, except in conformance with this chapter.
[Amended 5-26-1969 by Ord. No. 1969-5[1]]
If any nonconforming building, structure or sign shall be destroyed by reason of windstorm, fire, explosion or other act of God or the public enemy to an extent of less than 75% of true value as determined by an appraiser appointed for that purpose, then such destruction shall be deemed partial destruction and may be rebuilt, restored or repaired. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any wall, floor or roof which has been declared unsafe by the Construction Official. Destruction greater than 75%, as determined on the foregoing basis, shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption of total destruction, and the structure in question may not be rebuilt, restored or repaired.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
No nonconforming use shall, if once changed into a conforming use, be changed back again into a nonconforming use.
A nonconforming building, structure or sign may be reconstructed but not enlarged or extended, unless said building is changed to a building conforming or more nearly conforming to the requirements of this chapter.
Nothing herein contained shall require any change in the plans, construction or designated use of a building, structure or sign for which a building permit has been heretofore issued and the construction of which shall have been diligently prosecuted within three months of the date of such permit and the ground-story framework of which, including the second tier of beams, shall have been completed within six months of the date of the permit and which entire building shall be completed according to such plans as filed within one year from the date of this chapter.
Whenever the boundaries of a zone shall be changed as to transfer an area from one zone to another of a different classification, the foregoing provisions shall also apply to any nonconforming uses existing therein or created thereby.