If, upon reviewing an application for a certificate of nonconformity,
the Code Enforcement Officer shall determine that the use, structure
or sign in question was lawfully existing at the time of the adoption
of the provision creating the nonconformity in question and remains
lawfully existing subject only to such nonconformity at the time of
such application, and that any required affidavit is in order, he/she
shall issue a certificate evidencing such facts and setting forth
the nature and extent of the nonconformity and the date, if any, upon
which such nonconformity is required to be terminated; otherwise he/she
shall decline to issue such certificate and shall declare such building,
structure or sign to be in violation of this chapter.