A. 
Within the zones established by this chapter or amendments that may later be adopted there exist lots, structures, and uses of land and strikeouts which were lawful before this chapter was passed or amended, but which would be prohibited, regulated, or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendment.
B. 
To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction, or designated use of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter and upon which actual building construction has been diligently carried on. Actual construction is hereby defined to include the placing of construction materials in permanent position and fastened in a permanent manner except that where demolition or removal of an existing building has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding, such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, provided that work shall be diligently carried on until completion of the building involved.
A. 
In any zone in which single-family dwellings are permitted, notwithstanding limitations imposed by other provisions of this chapter, a single-family dwelling and customary accessory buildings may be erected on any single lot of record at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter. This provision shall apply even through such lot fails to meet the requirements for area or width, or both, that are generally applicable in the zone, provided that yard dimensions shall conform to the regulations for the zone in which such lot is located. Any variances of yard requirements shall be obtained only through action of the Board of Appeals.
B. 
If the owner of a nonconforming lot of record owns a parcel or tract of land immediately adjacent to the nonconforming lot, the nonconforming lot shall be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter prior to the issuance of any building permit on said nonconforming lot. Conformance may be achieved through the administrative resubdivision of the nonconforming lot by the adjustment of lot lines so long as no new nonconforming lots are thereby created. Otherwise, the nonconforming lot shall be combined with the adjacent lot or tract in the same ownership and the resulting parcel shall be platted and recorded in the land records of Caroline County prior to the issuance of a building permit.
Where, at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter, lawful use of land exists that is made no longer permissible under the terms of this chapter as enacted or amended, such use may be continued, subject to the provisions of § 245-12, so long as it remains otherwise lawful.
Where a lawful structure exists at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter that could not be built under the terms of this chapter by reason of restrictions on area, lot coverage, height, yards, or other characteristics of the structure or its location on the lot, such structure may be continued subject to § 245-12, so long as it remains otherwise lawful.
If a lawful use of a structure or of a structure and land in combination, exists at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter, that would not be allowed in the zone under the terms of this chapter, the lawful use may be continued subject to § 245-12 of this section, so long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions:
A. 
Conformance required. Except as hereinafter specified, no land, building, structure, or premises shall hereafter be used, and no building, or part thereof or other structure shall be located, erected, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or altered, except in conformity with the regulations herein specified of the district in which it is located.
B. 
Continuing existing uses. Except as provided in § 245-12, any lawful use, building, or structure existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter (including a seasonal use) may be continued, even though such use, building, or structure may not conform with the provisions of this chapter for the district in which it is located.
C. 
Nonconforming uses. No existing building or premises devoted to a use not permitted by this chapter in the district in which such building or premises is located, except when required to do so by law or order, shall be enlarged, extended, substituted, or structurally altered by more than 10% unless the use thereof is changed to a use permitted in the district in which such building or premises is located.
D. 
Substitution:
(1) 
If no structural alterations are made, a nonconforming use of a building may be changed to another nonconforming use of the same or of a more restricted classification.
(2) 
Whenever a nonconforming use has been changed to a more restricted use or to a conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed back to a less restricted use.
(3) 
When authorized by the Board of Appeals according to the provisions of Article XIX of this chapter, a nonconforming use of land or building may be changed to another nonconforming use of equal or more restricted classification.
E. 
Discontinuance. No building, structure, or premises where a nonconforming use has ceased for a period of one year or more shall again be put to a nonconforming use, except upon approval by the Board of Appeals. The repair of damages, irrespective of extent or value, due to fire, flood, or other act of God shall not require Board of Appeals approval.
F. 
Extensions:
(1) 
A building devoted to a nonconforming use may be completed or extended, and other buildings may be erected in addition thereto, for uses necessary and incidental to the continuation of the existing use, provided that such additions and extensions are located on the same premises or on adjoining premises that were under the same ownership on the date such building became nonconforming, and provided that the floor areas of all such additions and extensions shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 50% of the floor area of the existing building devoted to a nonconforming use. Any extension of a nonconforming use or structure shall be subject to Board of Appeals approval as provided in Article XIX. The extension or completion of a building or the construction of additional buildings as herein provided shall not be deemed to extend or otherwise affect the date when such nonconforming use or building must be changed or removed, if subject to any of the provisions of Article III.
(2) 
Any dwelling lawfully existing at the time of enactment of this chapter, not located on a lot having frontage on a road as required herein, may be continued and may be enlarged, without increasing the number of dwelling units therein, provided that no such addition shall extend closer to the road than the existing building or the setback line for the district.
(3) 
A nonconforming use may be extended throughout those parts of a building which were manifestly designed or arranged for such use prior to the effective date of this chapter, provided that no structural alterations are made except as required by law.
(4) 
A nonconforming use may be extended throughout those parts of a premises which were manifestly designed or arranged for such use prior to the effective date of this chapter, provided that no increase in the number of dwelling units (permanent or seasonal) occurs thereon, and such extension shall not extend closer to the property lines than existing setback requirements for the district in which such parcel of land is located.
G. 
Unsafe buildings. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any part of any building or structure declared unsafe by a proper authority.
Certain nonconformities shall be terminated in accordance with the following provisions:
A. 
Within not more than two years from the effective date of this chapter or amendment of this chapter by which a use becomes nonconforming, the right to maintain the following nonconformities shall terminate and such nonconformities shall no longer be operated or maintained and must be removed: any junk yards within the corporate limits of Federalsburg, Maryland.
B. 
Within not more than five years from the effective date of this chapter or amendment of this chapter all nonconforming signs shall be removed.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any building or part thereof declared to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety, upon order of such official.
Any use for which a conditional use is permitted as provided in this chapter shall not be deemed a nonconforming use but shall, without further action, be deemed a conforming use in such zone, subject to the provisions of §§ 245-11E(5) and (6) and 245-12F(1) and (2).