These provisions shall apply to all buildings or structures and all uses of buildings or structures or lots lawfully existing prior to the effective date of this chapter or of subsequent amendments, revisions or reenactments of such chapter, which do not conform to the provisions of said original Zoning Ordinance or to such revisions or reenactments on their effective dates.
No unlawful building or structure or lot or unlawful use of a building or structure or lot existing at the effective date of this chapter shall be deemed to be a nonconforming building, structure, lot or use.
A. 
Any lawful use occupying any building, structure, lot or land at the time of the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto which does not comply, after the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto, with the use regulations of the district in which it is situated may be continued in the building or structure or upon the lot or land so occupied, except as provided in § 235-55.
B. 
A conforming building or structure used by a nonconforming use shall not be reconstructed or altered, whether or not structurally extended, restored or repaired, except in conformity with all the requirements of this chapter applicable to the district in which it is located and, further, except that nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoration to safe condition of any wall or structural member declared unsafe by the Building Inspector.
C. 
A dimensionally nonconforming building or structure that is devoted to a conforming use may be enlarged, reconstructed, structurally altered, restored or repaired, in whole or in part, except that the degree of nonconformity shall not be increased.
D. 
An existing building or structure designed and used for a conforming use but located on a nonconforming lot, whether the building is conforming or nonconforming with respect to lot coverage and minimum yard requirements, may be reconstructed, structurally altered, restored or repaired, in whole or in part, except that the degree of nonconformity shall not be increased.
E. 
Reconstruction after disaster. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any structure or building substantially destroyed by fire or other disaster may be reconstructed or restored, provided that:
(1) 
A building permit therefor has been duly granted within 60 days after such event, and reconstruction or restoration has been substantially completed within 180 days after such event.
(2) 
The nonconformity, whether of the lot, structure, use or any combination thereof, is not enlarged, extended, changed or increased in any degree whatsoever. The Town Board may extend such time periods once, upon written application showing good cause therefor.
[Amended 9-6-2000 by L.L. No. 6-2000]
Except as specifically provided above, no structure or use which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be expanded, enlarged, extended, reconstructed, structurally altered or restored by any means or in any respect whatsoever, nor shall any external evidence of a nonconforming use be increased unless in accordance with § 235-61D(1).
[Amended 9-6-2000 by L.L. No. 6-2000]
A nonconforming use shall be changed only to a conforming use, except as provided in § 235-61D(1).
[Amended 7-15-1987]
A. 
A nonconforming use shall be deemed to have been abandoned:
(1) 
When it is changed to a conforming use; or
(2) 
When it has been discontinued for any reason or cause for a period of 10 consecutive months.
B. 
A nonconforming use that has been abandoned shall not thereafter be reinstated.
A. 
A nonconforming structure or nonconforming use may be subject to compulsory termination by the Town Board when it is found detrimental to the conservation of the value of surrounding land and improvements or to future development of surrounding lands and, therefore, is tending to deteriorate or blight the neighborhood.
B. 
In ordering the compulsory termination of a nonconforming structure or nonconforming use, the Town Board will establish a definite and reasonable amortization period, during which the nonconforming use may continue while the investment value remaining after the date of the termination order is amortized. Determination of the amount to be amortized shall be based on the value and condition of the land and improvements for the nonconforming use, less their value and condition for a conforming use, and such other reasonable costs as the termination may cause. The rate of amortization shall be in accordance with reasonable economic practice.
C. 
Anything to the contrary in this chapter notwithstanding, any nonconforming sign other than illuminated signs, wherever located, shall become an unlawful structure on December 31, 1974, and shall thereupon be removed. Nonconforming illuminated signs shall be permitted for the duration of their useful life but in no event after December 31, 1977. The owner of any such nonconforming signs who alleges that the period herein provided for the amortization of such sign is unreasonable as to his sign may apply to the Town Board for an extension of time for amortization of such sign.
D. 
Any existing sign of a flashing type shall be deemed an unlawful sign and shall either be removed or converted to a non-flashing type immediately. Such converted sign shall be removed by December 31, 1977, as set forth in this section for illuminated signs.