[Amended 11-21-2016 by L.L. No. 17-2016]
Any building, structure, generator, outdoor HVAC (heating, ventilation,
and/or air-conditioning) equipment, or use lawfully existing under
the provisions of the zoning laws or regulations in effect immediately
prior to any applicable change in zoning laws or regulations, although
not conforming to the provisions of this chapter for the district
in which it is situated on account of such change, may remain and/or
be continued subject to compliance with the conditions set forth below.
A. No such building, structure, generator, or outdoor HVAC equipment
which is nonconforming with respect to the relevant provisions of
this chapter or minimum area per family shall be enlarged, altered,
or moved in such manner as to increase any such nonconformity.
B. No such land, building or structure which is nonconforming
with respect to use shall be enlarged, nor shall the building or structure
be altered structurally, except as may be required by order of the
Building Inspector to strengthen or restore such building or any part
thereof to a safe condition or as may be permitted by the Zoning Board
of Appeals under a special permit.
C. Except as permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals in §
381-73 hereof, in no case shall the nonconforming use of such building or land be enlarged or extended or increased in area, nor shall it be changed to another nonconforming use.
D. No such nonconforming building, structure, generator, outdoor HVAC
equipment, or use, if changed to a building, structure, generator,
outdoor HVAC equipment, or use that conforms to the provisions of
this chapter, shall be changed back to a nonconforming building, structure,
generator, outdoor HVAC equipment, or use.
E. No such nonconforming use, if discontinued for six
months or longer, shall be resumed.
F. A one-family dwelling conforming to this chapter except
as to area requirements, if accidentally damaged or destroyed, from
whatever cause, may be restored on its original foundation.
G. No nonconforming building, structure, generator, or outdoor HVAC equipment, other than a one-family dwelling as referred to in Subsection
F above, if destroyed or damaged to the extent, as determined by the Building Inspector, of over 50% of the volume of such structure above the foundation, shall be restored in nonconforming form or location on the lot or for the continuance of a nonconforming use therein. However, such building, structure, generator, or outdoor HVAC equipment, if accidentally destroyed or damaged due to fire, explosion or other similar cause, to the extent, as determined by the Building Inspector, of not more than 50% of its volume above the foundation, may, if so permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, be restored in substantially the same location, provided that it is not enlarged. The Zoning Board of Appeals may also permit the continuance without enlargement of such previously existing nonconforming use subject to such additional limitations and safeguards as it may deem necessary in the public interest for the protection of nearby conforming uses.
I. Application for a permit to rebuild or restore the damaged portion of any building, structure, generator, or outdoor HVAC equipment damaged or destroyed as set forth in Subsection
G above shall be filed within six months of the day of such damage and shall be accompanied by plans for reconstruction which, as to such portions, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter in all respects save as to the use of the building or structure.
J. If a permit for such rebuilding or restoration is
granted, it shall lapse one year thereafter unless reconstruction
in accordance therewith has been satisfied; and
K. New buildings on lot less than the minimum area. A
permit may be issued for the erection of a building for a permitted
use on a lot for which a valid conveyance has been recorded prior
to the adoption of any zoning amendment making said lot nonconforming
in area or dimension, notwithstanding that the area or dimensions
of such lot are less than that required for the district in which
such lot lies, provided:
(1) That all yard setbacks and other requirements which
are in effect at the time of the obtaining of the building permit
are satisfied; and
(2) That said lot(s) was not in common ownership at the
time of said amendment with one or more contiguous lots which would
make the lots conform if combined. For the purpose of this chapter,
property in the name of a husband or wife shall be deemed in common
ownership with property in the name of such person's spouse.
[Amended 11-21-2016 by L.L. No. 17-2016; 12-19-2016 by L.L. No. 23-2016]
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require
any change in the plans, construction or designated use of any building
complying with laws then in effect for which a permit was duly issued
and on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective
date of this chapter and upon which building actual construction has
been diligently carried on. "Actual construction" is hereby defined
to be the actual placing of construction materials in their permanent
position, fastened in a permanent manner; except that, where a basement
or cellar is being excavated, such excavating shall be deemed to be
actual construction or where demolition or removal of an existing
structure has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding,
such demolition and removal shall be deemed to be actual construction,
provided that actual construction work shall be diligently carried
on to the extent of completing the ground-story framework, including
the second tier of beams, within six months and the whole building
within one year from the effective date of this chapter. Similarly,
whenever the provisions of this chapter are amended in the future
so as to effect a change in the permitted use of land or buildings,
the provisions hereof, with regard to building permits issued prior
to the effective day of this chapter, shall apply to building permits
issued for construction in such changed district prior to the effective
date of the amendment effecting such change. Except with respect to
amendments concerning mechanical rock excavation and blasting, amendments
to this chapter adopted between October 17, 2016, and December 31,
2016, shall not affect development(s) for which final subdivision
approval or site plan approval was granted before October 17, 2016.
Subject to the provisions of §
381-51D, a building lawfully used on the effective date of this chapter as a clubhouse may be reconstructed or enlarged, subject to the following conditions and safeguards:
A. If destroyed or damaged, to whatever extent from whatever
cause, it may be reconstructed to its prior dimensions in its prior
location, provided that in all other respects the structure to be
erected shall comply with this chapter and the Building Code.
B. No enlargement of such clubhouse use, whether by addition of new footage facilities or accessory buildings, shall be permitted, except under special permit issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals under the provisions of Article
VI and in strict conformity with the general requirements and standards set forth therein and the requirement of §
381-51D.