If, on the effective date of Part 2 of this chapter, any lot or building was being used for a purpose which does not conform to the requirements of the particular zone where said lot or building is situated and has continued to be used for that purpose, which use is lawful and not prohibited by any other existing ordinance of the Township or any statute of the State of New Jersey or law of the United States of America, the use of that lot or structure may be continued, subject to other provisions contained in Part 2 of this chapter, and any change of title shall not affect the continuance thereof, provided that:

Any lot or building used in a lawful character or manner or for a lawful purpose which creates a nonconforming use, which shall have discontinued such use for a period exceeding one year, shall be presumed to be an abandonment of such use and shall not be reused or superseded by any use not permitted under the respective zone classification provisions of Part 2 of this chapter. A nonconforming use shall be presumed abandoned when there occurs a cessation of any such use or activity by an apparent act or failure to act on the part of a tenant or owner to reinstate such use within a period of one year from the date of cessation or discontinuance. Such use shall not thereafter be reinstated and the structure shall not be reused except in conformance with Part 2 of this chapter. The provisions of this section shall refer to the actual use and to the use indicated by the form and construction of the building.

Nothing in this article shall be construed so as to prevent the strengthening or restoration to a safe and lawful condition of any part of a building declared to be unsafe or unlawful by the Construction Official, Chief of the Fire Department or other duly authorized Township official. Such repairs and maintenance work which are required to keep it in sound condition may be made to a nonconforming building or structure, provided that no structural alterations shall be made except such as are required by law. All structural and major alterations shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code of the Township,[1] and the area, bulk and other requirements of Part 2 of this chapter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, specifically referring to the zone location of the nonconforming premises.

No nonconforming use of any portion of a lot or building may be moved to any other part of the lot or building upon or within which the same was conducted as of the effective date of Part 2 of this chapter.

Any nonconforming use or structure existing at the time of the passage of an ordinance may be continued upon the lot or in the structure so occupied, and any such structure may be restored or repaired in the event of partial destruction thereof.

A nonconforming building may be altered, but not enlarged or extended during its life unless a variance shall be obtained from the Board of Adjustment or unless said building is changed to a building conforming to the requirements of Part 2 of this chapter. Nothing in Part 2 of this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any wall, floor or other structural member which has been declared unsafe by the Building Inspector.

Nothing herein contained shall require any change in plans, construction or designated use of a building for which a building permit has been heretofore issued and substantial construction has taken place prior to the date of the adoption of Part 2 of this chapter.

Whenever the boundaries of a zoning district shall be changed so as to transfer an area from one zone to another zone of a different classification, the foregoing provisions shall apply to any use which shall be made nonconforming by said change.