A use, building or structure lawfully in existence prior to the adoption of this chapter, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions of this chapter or any applicable amendment thereto, may be continued as provided herein. Nothing herein contained shall require any change in the plans, construction or designated use of a building complying with existing laws, a permit for which had been duly granted and the construction of which shall have been started before the date of adoption of this chapter or any applicable amendment thereto, and the ground story framework of which, including the second tier of beams, shall have been completed within six months of the date of the permit and which entire building shall have been completed, according to such plans as have been filed, within one year of the date of adoption of this chapter or any applicable amendment thereto.

The Zoning Officer may identify and register nonconforming uses and nonconforming structures as provided in Section 613 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended.[1]

The Zoning Officer shall issue a certificate of nonconformance for any nonconformance registered in accordance with § 260-48 hereof.

Any nonconforming use which shall be destroyed by fire or other disaster may not be restored except as a conforming use; provided, however, that the owner of such use may apply to the Zoning Hearing Board for the restoration of such use in accordance with the procedure set forth under § 260-56E(1) herein for applications for special exceptions. The Zoning Hearing Board may authorize the Zoning Officer to issue a permit for such replacement if the findings are in accordance with the criteria set forth under § 260-56E(3)(b), not including § 260-56E(3)(b)[1]; and provided, further, that such application shall be made within 90 days of such disaster and that such permit shall not be valid for a period of more than one year.

Any nonconforming use or structure damaged less than 50% of its existing floor area may be restored, reconstructed or used as before, provided that the volume of such use or structure shall not exceed the floor area which existed up to the time of such damage; and provided, further, that such restoration shall be in accordance with the following:

Where a use is in conformity with this Zoning Chapter in all respects other than its lot size, yards and setbacks and such use is destroyed totally or partially, it may be restored to its condition prior to such damage; provided, however, that it shall not be made any more nonconforming as to yards and setbacks than it was prior to such damage and that, to the extent feasible, such reconstruction shall be made more conforming as to yards and setbacks.

Any nonconforming building which is not also a nonconforming use, if damaged or destroyed, may be restored to its original condition.

When the use and occupancy of a nonconforming use shall be abandoned for a period of one year or more, then the reuse of such property shall not thereafter be resumed as a nonconforming use. The use of such property following the abandonment of a nonconforming use for a period of at least one year shall be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter governing the zone district where it is located.