All lawful or previously nonconforming uses of land or of a
building, sign or other structure existing on the effective date of
this chapter may be continued, altered, restored, reconstructed, changed,
sold or maintained, even though such use may not conform to the use,
height, area, yard and other regulations of the district in which
it is located, provided that such nonconforming conditions shall comply
with the following.
The Zoning Officer shall identify and register all of the premises
occupied by a lawful nonconforming use or building existing at the
effective date of this chapter and issue a certificate of nonconformance,
which shall be for the purpose of ensuring the owner's right to continue
a nonconforming building or use for a period of one year from the
date of abandonment.
Repairs and structural alterations may be made to a nonconforming
building or a building occupied by a nonconforming use, provided that
such alterations and repairs are in conformance with the regulations
as set forth in this chapter and other applicable codes and ordinances
adopted by the Borough.
If a nonconforming use or building ceases operations for a continuous
period of more than 12 months, then such use and any subsequent use
or building shall conform to the regulations of this chapter. The
property owner may request an extension of 12 additional months form
the Code Enforcement Officer.
Any lot held in single and separate ownership at the effective
date of this chapter which does not conform to one or more of the
applicable area regulations in the district in which it is located
shall be considered nonconforming. A building may be erected upon
any vacant nonconforming lot, provided that a special exception is
authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board, and further provided that
the applicant does not own or control other adjoining property sufficient
to comply with the provisions of this chapter. Such development shall
comply with the following provisions:
A. The proposed use is permitted within the district in which it is
located.
B. The proposed building shall comply with all applicable district regulations
as well as area and yard requirements as set forth in the zoning district
where the property is located. Any previously approved subdivision
that has not been developed which contains nonconforming lots shall
apply for a special exception as set forth above.
Signs in existence at the effective date of this chapter or amendments thereto may be continued, subject to the regulations contained in §
500-87 herein and Article
XIII, Signs, of this chapter, as amended.