Continued And Discontinued Use. The lawful use of land or of a building existing at the time of the adoption of this Chapter may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions hereof, and such use may be extended throughout such portions of buildings as are arranged or designed for such use, provided no structural alterations are made therein. A non-conforming use may be changed to another non-conforming use of a more restricted zoning classification. When a non-conforming use has been discontinued for six (6) months or more it shall not be re-established. When the non-conforming use of a mobile home space, a sign, or an open storage lot has been discontinued for sixty (60) days or more it shall not be re-established. If changed to a conforming use or more restricted non-conforming use, a non-conforming use may not thereafter be changed back to a less restricted use than that to which it was changed. If by amendment to this Chapter any property is hereafter transferred to a more restricted district by a change in the district boundaries, or the regulations and restrictions in a district are made more restrictive, the provisions of this Chapter relating to the non-conforming use of buildings or premises existing before February 2, 1982, shall apply to buildings or premises occupied or used at the time of the passage of such amendment.

Repairs And Restoration. Repairs and improvements may be made to a non-conforming building or structure, provided that no alterations shall be made, except those required by law or ordinance, unless the building or structure is changed to a conforming or more restricted use; provided that the Board, in case of evident hardship, may permit an enlargement of a non-conforming use not exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the ground floor area of the building. Nothing in this Chapter shall be taken to prevent the restoration, within six (6) months, of a non-conforming building destroyed to the extent of not more than one hundred percent (100%) of its reasonable value by fire, explosion, or act of God, or the public enemy, provided that when such restoration becomes involved in litigation, the time required for such litigation shall not be counted as a part of the six (6) months allowed for reconstruction. Alterations may be made to residences and customary accessory buildings located in the commercial zone even though they are a non-conforming use. Enlargement may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of existing square foot area.[1]