Except as otherwise provided in this chapter
the lawful use of the land or a building existing at the date of the
adoption of this chapter may be continued although such use or building
does not conform to the regulations specified by this chapter for
the zone in which such land or building is located; provided, however,
that no nonconforming lot shall be further reduced in size and no
nonconforming use may be expanded. The following regulations shall
apply to nonconforming uses and structures.
Whenever the boundaries of a district shall
be changed so as to transfer an area from one district to another
district of a different classification, the provisions of this chapter
shall also apply to any nonconforming uses existing therein or created
thereby.
Upon application, a certificate, certifying
the legality of a preexisting nonconforming use, lot, building or
structure, may be issued by the Land Use Officer or Board of Adjustment,
pursuant to this chapter.
Nothing herein contained shall require any change
in plans, construction or designated use of a building for which a
building permit has been hereto before issued and the construction
of which shall have been diligently prosecuted within three months
of the date of such permit, and the ground story framework of which,
including the second tier of beams, shall have been completed within
six months of the date of the permit, and which entire building shall
be completed according to such plans as filed within one year from
the date of the adoption of this chapter.
Where two or more lots, created by the filing
of a map pursuant to the Map Filing Law (N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.9 et seq.)
prior to establishment of the Planning Board, have any contiguous
lines and are in single ownership and one or more of the lots is nonconforming
in any aspect, the lots involved shall be considered to be an undivided
parcel for the purposes of this chapter, and no portion of said parcel
shall be conveyed or divided except through the filing of an approved
subdivision in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.