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 building is located; provided, however, that no nonconforming
lot shall be further reduced in size.
[Amended 4-14-1992 by Ord. No. 92-05-426]
Lots which do not meet the minimum area requirements of the
Zoning Ordinance, which are currently in use as of the date of adoption
of this chapter, may continue in that use unless and until the building
located thereon is substantially destroyed by fire or other causes,
including acts of the owner, and thereafter no such structure shall
be rebuilt except in conformance with provisions in this chapter.
If a nonconforming building or use is subsequently changed to
a conforming use, it shall not again be occupied or used except in
conformity with the requirements of the districts wherein such building
or use is located.
[Amended 5-12-1992 by Ord. No. 92-07-428; 5-12-2004 by Ord. No. 04-02-588]
A nonconforming building may be reconstructed or structurally
altered so long as the work performed does not constitute a substantial
reconstruction or alteration of the building as existing on the effective
date of this chapter, provided that no nonconforming use is extended
or changed to another nonconforming use.
If any principle structure is nonconforming as of the date of
the adoption of this amendment in that it violates setback or height
requirements, additions or alterations may be added so long as the
additions or alternations are in conformance with current height,
lot coverage and setback requirements. Such an addition or alteration
shall be permitted to be made without the necessity of obtaining variance.
Whenever the boundaries of a district shall be changed so as to transfer an area from one district to another of a different classification, the foregoing provisions shall also apply to any nonconforming uses existing therein or created thereby. (Original Section 605, relating to permits issued prior to the adoption of the ordinance appearing in this chapter, which immediately followed this section, was deleted at time of adoption of Code; see Ch.
1, General Provisions, Art.
I.)