Except as hereinafter provided, no premises shall be used and no building shall be used, constructed, reconstructed, extended or structurally altered except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code which apply to the district involved. However, any nonconforming use existing at the time of passage of this chapter may be continued. No nonconforming use, once changed to a use permitted in the district in which it is located, shall ever thereafter be changed back to a nonconforming use.

Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the restoration of a building destroyed less than 50% of its value, exclusive of the foundations, by fire, explosion, act of God or act of the public enemy subsequent to the passage of this chapter or shall prevent the continuance of the use of such building or part thereof as such use existed at the time of such destruction of such building or part thereof, except where it is a use hereinafter prohibited.

Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any wall declared unsafe by the Code Enforcement Officer.

Whenever a nonconforming use has been discontinued for one year, the right to have, maintain or operate such nonconforming use shall terminate, and the same may not be reestablished in any manner.

Any structure that has been abandoned, damaged or found unsuitable for occupancy may, after written notice to the owner of record and due hearing, be declared a nuisance by the Board of Trustees, and the owner of said structure shall be required to repair or remove the same and, in the event of occupancy, secure a new certificate of occupancy.[1]