A. 
Statement of intent.
(1) 
The zoning districts established by this chapter are designed to guide future uses of land in the Township by encouraging the development of desirable residential, commercial and manufacturing areas, with appropriate groupings of compatible and related uses, to the end of promoting and protecting the public health, safety, comfort, prosperity and other aspects of the general welfare.
(2) 
To achieve this end, lawful existing uses which would be prohibited or restricted under the terms of this chapter, or future amendments, and which do not conform to the character and regulations of the zoning district in which they are located must be subject to certain limitations. The regulations set forth below are intended to afford a means whereby nonconforming uses can be gradually eliminated.
(3) 
Similarly, buildings or other structures which do not comply with one or more of the applicable district requirements as to lot width, minimum lot area and yard spaces, width of lot, coverage, or height are deemed to be nonconforming.
(4) 
Nonconforming uses and structures will be generally permitted to remain and to be conveyed to new ownership. The purpose of regulating them is to restrict further investment in uses or structures which are inappropriate to their location.
(5) 
To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require a change in plans, construction, or intended use of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date, or amendment, of this chapter and on which actual building construction has been diligently carried on.
B. 
Nonconforming use regulations. Lawful uses, located either within a building or other structure or part thereof, or on the land, or in combination of both, which at the effective date of this chapter or subsequent amendments thereto, became nonconforming may be continued so long as they remain otherwise lawful, subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
Enlargement. A nonconforming use may be enlarged or increased, or extended to occupy a greater area of building or land than was occupied at the effective date of this chapter or subsequent amendments. However, such extension shall not exceed 25% of the area occupied at the adoption of this chapter and must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
C. 
Nonconforming building and structures regulations. Buildings in existence on the effective date of this chapter and which do not conform to the area and bulk regulations of this chapter applicable to the districts in which they are located, may be continued, so long as they remain otherwise lawful, subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
Enlargement. A nonconforming building or structure may be enlarged or increased, by an area not to exceed 25% of the area occupied at the effective date of this chapter, or subsequent amendments. However, no such enlargement may be made in a required side yard.
D. 
Nonconforming lots regulations. In any district, in which single-family houses are permitted, notwithstanding the area limitations imposed by other provisions of this chapter, a single-family house and customary accessory buildings may be erected on any single lot of record in existence at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter, provided the following requirements shall be observed:
(1) 
Such lot must be in separate ownership, and not form part of a continuous frontage with other lots in the same ownership.
(2) 
This provision shall apply even though such lot fails to meet requirements of area or width, or both, generally applicable in the district in which the lot is located, and a variance shall be issued by the Zoning Hearing Board, except as follows:
(a) 
No application for a variance shall be accepted if the area of the lot in question is less than 50% of the required minimum lot area or width for the district in which it is located.
(b) 
If two or more lots with continuous frontage in single ownership are of record at the time of passage or amendment of this chapter, and if all or part of the lots do not meet the requirements for lot width and area established by this chapter, the lands involved shall be considered an undivided parcel, and no portion of such parcel shall be occupied or sold which does not meet lot width and area requirements established by this chapter.
(c) 
Variance from yard requirements shall be obtained only through action of the Zoning Hearing Board.