The provisions of this article shall apply to nonconforming uses, structures, lots, and signs as defined below:
A. 
Nonconforming use. A use, whether of land or of structure, that does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendments hereafter enacted where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendments.
B. 
Nonconforming structure. A structure that does not comply with the applicable area, bulk and dimensional standards, including those relating to density, impervious surfaces, building coverage, building height, and setbacks in this chapter or amendments hereafter enacted where such structure was lawfully in existence prior to enactment of this chapter or amendments. Such structures include, but are not limited to, buildings, fences, walls and swimming pools.
C. 
Nonconforming lot. A lot or site that does not comply with the applicable dimensional standards, including those related to site area, lot area, and lot width, in This chapter or amendments hereafter enacted where such lot was lawfully in existence prior to enactment of this chapter or amendments.
D. 
Nonconforming sign. Any sign legally existing at the time of the passage of this chapter that does not conform in use, location, height or size to the standards contained in Article XV.
Any lawful nonconforming structure or any lawful nonconforming use of a structure, land, or sign legally existing on the effective date of this chapter may be continued, subject to the following provisions of this section.
A. 
Expansion. The nonconforming use of a building or of a lot shall not be expanded so as to use other portions of the building or lot, and a nonconforming building housing a nonconforming or permitted use shall not be expanded or structurally altered, except insofar as is permitted by law to assure the structural safety of the building unless the Zoning Hearing Board shall, by special exception, authorize the expansion of such use or building. The Zoning Hearing Board, upon application, may grant a special exception, provided that:
(1) 
It is clear that such expansion is not materially detrimental to the character of the surrounding area or to the interest of the Township.
(2) 
The area devoted to the nonconforming use shall not be increased more than once during the life of the use. In addition, the area devoted to the nonconforming use shall not be increased more than 50% over the area of its original size.
(3) 
Any expansion of the building or of a lot having a nonconforming use shall conform to all applicable area and bulk standards of the district in which it is situated and to all standards applicable to such a use in the district.
(4) 
Any expansion of a nonconforming use shall comply with the off-street parking and buffering requirements contained herein.
B. 
Change of use.
(1) 
A nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use of the same general character by the grant of a special exception. The Zoning Hearing Board shall determine, after the public hearing, that the proposed new use will be similar to or less detrimental to its neighborhood and abutting properties than the use it is to replace. In evaluating relative detriment, the Zoning Hearing Board shall consider, among other things, potential traffic generation, nuisance characteristics such as emission of noise, dust, odor, glare and smoke, and fires hazards, and hours and manner of operation.
(2) 
Once changed to a conforming use, no structure or land shall be permitted to revert to a nonconforming use.
C. 
Restoration. A structure containing a nonconforming use involuntarily destroyed by fire, explosions, flood or other phenomena, or legally condemned, may be reconstructed and used for the same nonconforming use, provided that:
(1) 
Reconstruction shall commence within one year from the date the structure was destroyed or condemned and shall be completed with one year of the date commenced.
(2) 
The reconstructed structure shall not exceed the area and bulk of the damaged or destroyed structure, except as provided for herein.
D. 
Discontinuance or abandonment. If a nonconforming use of a structure or land is razed or removed or discontinued or abandoned for 12 or more consecutive months, subsequent use of such structure or land shall conform to the standards of the district, in which it is located.
E. 
Nonconforming off-street parking.
(1) 
Where the number of parking spaces presently existing upon a lot is insufficient for the existing use as defined by this chapter, such parking insufficiency shall constitute a lawful nonconformity. The insufficiency may continue provided the use for which such parking was established is neither changed nor enlarged.
(2) 
Where the number, size or configuration of parking spaces is lawfully nonconforming with respect to any use, structure or activity upon a lot and the applicant seeks to change or enlarge such use or activity, the application or plan shall include the additional parking required in conformance with this chapter.
A. 
Alteration, renovation or enlargement. A nonconforming structure may be altered, renovated or enlarged only in compliance with the following provisions:
(1) 
Nonconforming structures may be altered, renovated or enlarged, provided that such alteration, renovation or enlargement does not increase any existing nonconformity, unless authorized by § 129-1604A(2) In the case of a nonconforming structure that is occupied by a nonconforming use, such alteration, renovation, or enlargement shall comply with the requirements contained herein. In the case of a nonconforming structure that is located on a nonconforming lot, such alteration, renovation or enlargement shall also comply with the requirements of this article.
(2) 
The area devoted to the nonconforming structure shall not be increased more than once during the life of the use. In addition, the area devoted to the nonconforming structure shall not be increased more than 50% over the area of its original size.
(3) 
Any structural alteration of or addition to existing buildings shall conform with all area, bulk and dimensional standards including minimum area, height, width, yard and coverage requirements for the district in which it is located as well as applicable building code regulations, unless authorized by § 129-1604A(2).
B. 
Restoration. Any lawful nonconforming building or other structure that has been involuntarily damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, windstorm, or other active cause may be reconstructed in the same location, provided that:
(1) 
The reconstructed building or structure shall not exceed the height, area, or bulk permitted by this article or the original building, whichever is less.
(2) 
Reconstruction shall begin within one year from the date of damage or destruction and shall be completed without interruption.
A. 
A building may be constructed on a nonconforming lot of record in existence at the effective date of This chapter under the following circumstances.
(1) 
Any owner of two or more contiguous nonconforming lots that, if combined, would create a lot of conforming size, shall be required to combine such lots prior to the issuance of a building permit.
(2) 
A building may be constructed on a lot that is nonconforming solely in respect to lot area requirements, when authorized by the Zoning Officer.
(3) 
Where compliance with the side, rear, or front yard setbacks cannot be achieved, a special exception to construct a building on a nonconforming lot may be authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board.
(4) 
Adequate sewer and water facilities are provided.
B. 
No lot area shall be reduced so that the area or width of the lot or the applicable setback dimensions shall be smaller than herein prescribed.
C. 
An existing structure located on a lot with a nonconforming area may be used for the use permitted in the district in which it is located provided the structure complies within all bulk requirements of that district. If a nonconforming structure is located on a nonconforming lots, such structure may be used for a use permitted in the district in which it is located when it is determined by the Zoning Officer that the proposed use is not injurious to health, safety and general welfare of the Township in general and surrounding property owners in particular.
Any nonconforming sign legally existing at the time of the passage of this chapter shall be bound by the following requirements:
A. 
Moving. A nonconforming sign may be moved, provided that moving such a sign would eliminate the nonconformity. A nonconforming sign shall not be moved to a position where such sign remains nonconforming unless authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board as a special exception.
B. 
Area. The total area of all such signs relating to a single use at the effective date of this chapter, or at the effective date of any amendment of this chapter by which any sign shall be made nonconforming, shall not be increased.
C. 
Repair or replacement. Nonconforming sings, once removed or damaged, more than 50%, including structural framing or bracing, shall be replaced only with conforming signs. Nonconforming signs with damage of 50% or less may be repainted or repaired, provided that such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
D. 
Discontinuance. Whenever any nonconforming use of a building structure, or land, or of a combination thereof, is discontinued, all signs accessory to such use shall be deemed to become nonconforming and shall be removed within 30 days from the date such use is discontinued.