(A)   The lawful use of land for storage purposes except for agriculture uses or where such use is an adjunct of any structure, and advertising signs and bulletin boards which do not conform to the provisions of this title shall be discontinued within one year from the date of the approval hereof and the lawful use of land for storage purposes except for agriculture uses or where such use is an adjunct of any structure, and signs and bulletin boards which become nonconforming by reason of a subsequent change in this title shall also be discontinued within one year from the date of the change.

   (B)   The lawful use of a building or structure existing at the time of the effective date hereof may be continued, although such use does not conform to the provisions of this title. 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. Whenever such nonconforming use has been changed to a more restricted use or to conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed to a less restricted use.

   (C)   Whenever the lawful use of a building becomes nonconforming through a change in zoning requirements or district boundaries, such use may be continued and if no structural alterations are made, it may be changed to another nonconforming use of the same or of a more restricted classification. Whenever such nonconforming use has been changed to a more restricted use or to a conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed to a less restricted use.

   (D)   The lawful use of land as a trailer court which does not conform to the provisions of this title shall not be extended beyond the area actually so used at the date of approval of this title and no new parking spaces or berths for additional trailers shall be added thereto.

   (E)   Whenever a nonconforming use of a nonagricultural building or structure, or part thereof, has been discontinued for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months, or for a continuous period of eighteen (18) months if the building was originally designed and constructed for a nonresidential use, such use shall not, after being discontinued or abandoned, be reestablished, and the use of the premises thereafter shall be in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located.

   (F)   Where no enclosed building is involved, discontinuance of a nonconforming use for a period of six (6) months shall constitute abandonment.

   (G)   No existing nonagricultural building or structure devoted to a use not permitted in the district in which such building or premises is located, except when required to do so by law, shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or structurally altered, unless such use is changed to a use permitted in the district in which such building or structure is located; provided, however, any building containing a residential nonconforming use may be altered in any way to improve livability but no structural alteration shall be made which would increase the number of dwelling units therein or the bulk of the building. Any existing building or structure devoted to a use permitted in the district in which such building or structure is situated, but failing to comply with the yard or building setback line requirements of this title, may be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or structurally altered in any manner which does not further encroach upon the required open yard space or building setback line which is not complied with.

   (H)   Any nonagricultural building or structure containing a nonconforming use which is damaged by explosion, fire, flood, wind or other act of God or man to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its fair market (sales) value immediately prior to damage, shall not be repaired or reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this title. In the event that the Code Enforcement Officer's estimate of the extent of damage or fair market value is not acceptable to the applicant for the building permit to repair or reconstruct such building or structure, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Appeals.

   (I)   No nonagricultural building or structure designed or intended to be utilized for a nonconforming use shall be constructed or allowed unless substantial construction is underway at the time of the enactment of this title or subsequent amendment thereto, and is being diligently prosecuted so that such building or structure will be completed within eighteen (18) months from the time of the enactment hereof or subsequent amendment. All outstanding building permits for construction which do not meet these requirements shall be rendered null and void by the enactment of this title or subsequent amendments thereto.

   (J)   When adjacent lots of record are in single ownership and fronting on the same street or place, even though such lots are smaller in area and width than permitted in the use district where located, no building or structure shall be erected or structurally altered on such lots, except in conformity with the provisions of this title. (Ord. 69-23, 4-6-1970)