[Amended 5-4-1974 ATM, Art. 27 (Amdt. No. 46A); 5-2-1977 ATM, Art. 13 (Amdt. No. 50)]
A. 
This chapter shall not apply to:
(1) 
Structures or uses lawfully in existence or lawfully begun before the first publication of notice of the public hearing on this chapter, hereinafter referred to as the "first publication" or "first notice," which date in Georgetown as to the original Zoning Bylaw was June 1, 1954.
(2) 
A building permit or special permit issued before said first publication.
B. 
This chapter shall apply to:
(1) 
Any change or substantial extension of a use lawfully in existence or lawfully begun then.
(2) 
A building permit or special permit issued after said first notice.
C. 
This chapter shall apply to:
(1) 
Any reconstruction, extension or structural change of a structure lawfully in existence or lawfully begun then.
(2) 
Any alteration of a structure begun after said first notice to provide for:
(a) 
Its use for a substantially different purpose; or
(b) 
For the same purpose in a substantially different manner or to a substantially greater extent.
The Boards, in granting special permits and variances, shall ensure that any change or extension of a use, reconstruction, extension or structural change of a structure or any such alteration of a structure as provided above in § 165-87B and C is readily apparent and shall make such information available to the Building Inspector. The Board of Appeals shall annually as of June 1 list which special permits and variances appear to be still in use, which appear to have ceased use during the previous year and which appear to have become invalid by reason of nonuse for two years. This shall be a public record and a copy shall be sent annually to the Selectmen and Building Inspector.
However, this chapter shall not apply where alteration, reconstruction, extension or structural change to a single- or two-family residential structure does not increase the nonconforming nature of said structure, provided that no such extension or alteration shall be permitted unless there is a finding by the Board of Appeals that such change, extension or alteration shall not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming use to the neighborhood.
A lawful nonconforming use shall not be reestablished after being abandoned, but the use of a lawful nonconforming building or structure or premises may be reestablished after not more than two years of continuous nonuse without intent to abandon.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit or unreasonably regulate the expansion or reconstruction of existing structures thereon for the primary purpose of agriculture, horticulture or floriculture in parcels of more than five acres. For such purpose, land divided by a public or private way or a waterway shall be construed as one parcel.
Construction or operations under a building permit or special permit shall conform to any subsequent amendments of this chapter unless the use or construction is commenced within a period of not more than six months after the issuance of the permit, and, in cases involving construction, unless such construction is continued through to completion as continuously and expeditiously as is reasonable.
[Amended 5-2-2005 ATM, Art 24 (Amdt. No. 152)]
Preexisting nonconforming structures or uses may be extended or altered, provided that no such extension or alteration shall be permitted unless there is a finding by the Board of Appeals in granting a special permit that such change, extension or alteration shall not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming use to the neighborhood. A special permit shall not be required when alteration, reconstruction, extension or structural change to a single or two family residential structure does not increase the non-conforming nature of said structure.