A. 
Within the districts established by this chapter or amendments that may later be adopted there may exist lots, structures, and uses of land and structures which were lawful before this chapter was passed or amended, but which would be prohibited under the terms of this chapter or future amendment.
B. 
It is the intent of this chapter to permit these nonconformities to continue until they are removed. Such uses are declared by this chapter to be incompatible with permitted uses in the districts involved. Nonconformities may be enlarged and expanded as determined by the Zoning Hearing Board.
C. 
A nonconforming use of a structure, a nonconforming use of land, or nonconforming use of a structure and land shall not be extended or enlarged after passage of this chapter by:
(1) 
The addition of other uses, if such additions are of a nature which would be prohibited generally in the district;
(2) 
Attachment of additional signs to a building; or
(3) 
The placement of additional signs or display devices on the land outside the building.
D. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction, or designated use of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter and upon which actual building construction has been continuously carried on. "Actual construction" is defined to include the placing of construction materials in permanent position and fastened in a permanent manner and demolition, elimination, and removal of an existing structure in connection with such construction, provided that actual construction work shall be continuously carried on until the completion of the building involved.
For nonconforming lots of record, the owner shall apply to the Zoning Hearing Board for the appropriate variances for the use of said lot. If two or more lots with continuous frontage in single ownership and if all or part of the lots do not meet the requirements for lot width and area in the respective district, the lands involved shall be considered to be an undivided parcel for the purpose of this chapter. No portion of said parcel shall be used which does not meet lot width and area requirements established by this chapter, nor shall any division of the parcel be made which leaves remaining any lot with width or area below the requirements stated in this chapter.
Where lawful use of land exists that is made no longer permissible under the terms of this chapter as enacted or amended, such use may be continued, subject to the following provisions:
A. 
No such nonconforming use shall be expanded to occupy a greater area of land than was occupied at the effective date of this chapter, except as specified by Article XXIV.
B. 
No such nonconforming use shall be moved to any other position of the lot occupied by such use at the effective date of this chapter.
C. 
If any such nonconforming use of land ceases for a period of more than 12 months, any subsequent use of such land shall conform to the regulations for the district in which such land is located.
Where a lawful structure exists that could not be built under the terms of this chapter, such structure may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions:
A. 
A structure may be enlarged or altered one time without application to the Zoning Hearing Board, provided that such expansion does not entail an increase in gross floor area of greater than 25%, as determined and approved by the Zoning Administrator.
B. 
Should such structure be destroyed by any means, it may be rebuilt, provided the use and intensity of use is no more objectionable or no greater than existed prior to destruction. Application for permit to rebuild a nonconforming structure shall be filed within 12 months of the date of destruction, otherwise it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter unless a variance is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.
C. 
Should such structure be moved for any reason, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the district in which it is located after moved.
If a lawful use of a structure or of a structure and premises in combination exists that would not be allowed in the district, the lawful use may be continued subject to the following provisions:
A. 
An existing structure devoted to a use not permitted in the district in which it is located may be enlarged, extended, constructed, reconstructed, or structurally altered upon granting of a variance by the Zoning Hearing Board.
B. 
Any nonconforming use may be extended throughout any parts of a building, but no such use shall be extended to occupy any land outside such building.
C. 
If no structural alterations are made, any nonconforming use of a structure or structure and premises may be changed to another nonconforming use, provided that the Zoning Hearing Board shall find that the proposed use is equally or more appropriate to the district than the existing nonconforming use. In permitting such change, the Zoning Hearing Board may require additional conditions and safeguards.
D. 
Once a nonconforming use is superseded by a permitted use, the nonconforming use shall not be resumed.
E. 
When a nonconforming use of a structure, or structure and premises in combination, is discontinued or abandoned for 12 consecutive months, they shall not be used except in conformance with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
F. 
Where nonconforming use status applies to a structure and premises in combination, removal or destruction of the structure shall eliminate the nonconforming status of the land.
A. 
On any building, devoted in whole or in part to any nonconforming use, work may be done on ordinary repairs or on repair or replacement of nonbearing walls, fixtures, wiring, or plumbing without the requirement of a zoning permit.
B. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any building or part thereof declared to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety upon order of such official.
Any use for which a special exception is granted shall be deemed a conforming use.