The existing lawful use of land and/or structures which, at
the time of passage of this chapter, does not conform with the regulations
of the district in which it is located should have such use considered
as a nonconformity. This nonconformity may continue on such land,
but shall be subject to the regulations covering nonconformities.
The Zoning Officer shall identify and maintain a register of nonconforming
uses, structures, and lots as they are brought before Council and
the Zoning Officer.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
NONCONFORMING LOT
Any lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior
to the adoption or amendment of this chapter but which fails to conform
to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located
by reason of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or a part of a structure that does not comply
with the applicable use or extent of use provisions or with the area,
setback, yard, building height, location, size, impervious surface,
or other dimensional requirements of the Zoning Ordinance or amendments
heretofore or hereafter enacted where such structure lawfully existed
prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment. Such nonconforming
structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or structure, that does not comply
with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore
or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior
to the enactment of such ordinance or amendment.
The lawful use of a building or structure, or the lawful use
of any land as existing and lawful at the time of the enactment of
this chapter, or in the case of an amendment to this chapter, then
at the time of such amendment, may be continued except as hereinafter
provided, although such use or structure does not conform to the provisions
of this chapter or subsequent amendments.
Once changed to a conforming use, no structure or land shall
be permitted to revert to a nonconforming use. A nonconforming use
may be changed to another nonconforming use only under the following
conditions:
A. Such change
shall be permitted only by special exception by the Zoning Hearing
Board, under the provisions of this chapter.
B. The applicant
shall show that a nonconforming use cannot be reasonably changed to
a permitted use.
C. The applicant
shall show that the proposed change will be less objectionable in
external effects than the existing nonconforming use with respect
to:
(1) Traffic
generation and congestion including truck, automobile, and pedestrian
traffic;
(2) Noise,
smoke, dust, fumes, vapors, heat, odor, glare, gases, liquids, or
vibration;
A nonconforming use, when abandoned may be resumed any time
within six months from such discontinued date. However, if the use
is abandoned for a continuous period greater than one year, subsequent
use of such structure or land shall be in conformity with the provisions
of this chapter, unless the owner can demonstrate an intent to continue
the use, for example, by providing listings which show an attempt
to rent or sell the property.
A nonconforming structure not containing a nonconforming use
or any structure containing a nonconforming use which has been damaged
or destroyed by fire, explosion, accident, or calamity, or legally
condemned (as contrasted to deterioration due to time or neglect)
may be reconstructed and used for a nonconforming use, provided that:
A. The reconstructed building shall not exceed in height, area, and volume the building destroyed or condemned, except in conformance with §
205-147.
B. Building
reconstruction shall be started within one year from the date the
building was destroyed or condemned and shall be carried on without
interruption.
Nonconforming signs shall be regulated by §
205-168 of this chapter.
A temporary nonconforming use, which will benefit the public
health or welfare or promote the proper development of a district
in conformity with the intent of this chapter, may be permitted for
a period of not more than one month, on the approval of the Zoning
Hearing Board, but any such use to be permitted for a longer period
shall require a public hearing thereon, after which a Zoning Hearing
Board approval may be issued for a period not exceeding one year.
Whenever a lot is sold to a new owner, a previously lawful nonconforming use on the lot may be continued. A change in nonconformity is governed by§
205-148.