Athens City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots
§ 480-44 Existing nonconforming uses.
A.
Continuation. Except as otherwise specially provided in this chapter, the lawful nonconforming use of a structure, land or water existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this chapter may be continued although the use does not conform to the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that:
(1)
Only that portion of the land or water in actual use may be so continued, and the structure may not be extended, enlarged, reconstructed, substituted, moved or structurally altered, except when required to do so by law or order or so as to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
The total lifetime structural repairs or alterations shall not exceed 50% of the assessed value of the structure at the time of its becoming a nonconforming use unless it is permanently changed to conform to the use provisions of this chapter.
(3)
Substitution of new equipment may be permitted by the Village Board if such equipment will reduce the incompatibility of the nonconforming use with the neighboring use.
B.
Abolishment or replacement of existing nonconforming use. If such nonconforming use is discontinued or terminated for a period of 12 months, any future use of the structure, land or water shall conform to the provisions of this chapter. When a nonconforming use or structure is damaged by fire, explosion, flood, the public enemy or other calamity to the extent of more than 50% of its current assessed value, it shall not be restored except so as to comply with the use provisions of this chapter. From the date of adoption of this chapter, a current file of all nonconforming uses shall be maintained by the Zoning Administrator, listing the following:
§ 480-45 Existing nonconforming structures.
A.
A lawful nonconforming structure existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this chapter may be continued although its size or location does not conform to the lot width, lot area, yard, height, parking and loading, and access provisions of this chapter. However, it shall not be extended, enlarged, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered except when required to do so by law or order or so as to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Pursuant to § 62.23(7)(hc), Wis. Stats., and notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a nonconforming structure damaged or destroyed by violent wind, vandalism, fire, flood, ice, snow, mold or infestation after March 2, 2006, may be restored to the size, location, and use that it had immediately before the damage or destruction occurred, and no limits may be imposed on the costs of the repair, reconstruction, or improvement of said structure. The size of the restored structure may be larger than the size it was immediately before the damage or destruction if necessary for the structure to comply with applicable state or federal requirements.[1]
§ 480-46 Changes and substitutions.
Once a nonconforming use or structure has been changed to conform, it shall not revert back to a nonconforming use or structure. Once the Village Board has permitted the substitution of a more restrictive nonconforming use for an existing nonconforming use, the substituted use shall lose its status as a legal nonconforming use and become subject to all the conditions required by the Village Board.
§ 480-47 Preexisting substandard lots.
In any residential district, structures may be erected on any legal lot of record prior to the original effective date of this chapter, provided that the area, the width and the depth of such existing lot shall be no less than 75% of the required minimums set forth in this chapter. No lot, yard, parking area, building area or other space shall be reduced in area or dimension so as not to meet the provisions of this chapter.