The lawful use of land existing on the effective date of areas zoned or rezoned under Chapters 20.02 through 20.60, although such use does not conform to the regulations specified by Chapters 20.02 through 20.60 for the district in which such land is located, is a nonconforming use and may be continued as hereinafter provided, except that no such use shall be enlarged or increased nor be extended to occupy a greater area than that occupied by such use at the time the area is zoned or rezoned under Chapters 20.02 through 20.60 except as provided by Section 20.50.50C and except for the replacement of a mobile home with a larger mobile home. If any such use ceases for a period of one year, including a nonconforming mobile home, the subsequent use of such land shall be in conformance with the regulations of Chapters 20.02 through 20.60. Should a nonconforming mobile home be damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, explosion, or act of God, that mobile home can be destruction of the mobile home. A nonconforming mobile home is a right that is transferable by the owner of the land upon which it situated. Any billboard or outdoor advertising sign, except as otherwise permitted in any R-1A, R-2A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 district that is located within any R-1A, R-2A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 district shall be removed within five years from and after the effective date an area is zoned or rezoned under Chapters 20.02 through 20.60. Any truck terminal or truck repair shop or junkyard located within any R-1A, R-2A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 district shall be removed within seven years from and after the effective date an area is zoned or rezoned under Chapters 20.02 through 20.60.

(Ord. 78-25 (part) 1978: Ord. 73-16 §§ 1, 2, 1973: Ord. 67-10 §§ 5.0200, 5.0201, 1967)

When land is zoned or rezoned under this chapter, and parcels of property in the area are already improved and nonconforming because of size, the owners of these preexisting improved nonconforming size parcels shall have a period of one hundred twenty days within which to apply for the division of their parcels subject to the provisions of the county lot split ordinance.

(Ord. 74-17 (part), 1974)

The purpose of Sections 20.50.012 through 20.50.016 is to grant to the owners of preexisting improved nonconforming size parcels an opportunity to divide their parcels.

(Ord. 74-17 (part), 1974)

The grace period herein provided shall commence to run upon the adoption of a specific zone ordinance by the board of supervisors and shall apply only to preexisting nonconforming size parcels, and not to the use of any such parcel.

(Ord. 74-17 (part), 1974)

The lawful use of a building existing October 23, 1967, may be continued, although such building and/or use do is not conform to the regulations specified for the district in which such building is located.

(Ord. 67-10 § 5.0202, 1967)

If at any time, any building in existence on the effective date an area is zoned or rezoned under Chapters 20.02-20.60 which does not conform to the regulations for the district in which it is located, be damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, act of God, or act of the public enemy, to the extent of more than fifty percent of the market value thereof, according to the appraisal by the county assessor for the fiscal year during which such destruction occurs, the land and building shall be thereafter subject to all the regulations specified by Chapters 20.02-20.60, for the district in which such land and buildings are located.

(Ord. 67-10 § 5.0203, 1967)

If the actual operation of a nonconforming use of a building ceases for a continuous period of twelve months, unless the legal owner can establish valid proof to the contrary, such cessation of nonconforming use shall be considered abandonment then without further action by the planning commission the building and the land on which the building is located shall be subject to all the regulations specified by Chapters 20.02-20.60 for the district in which such land and building are located.

(Ord. 67-10 § 5.0204, 1967)

The following additional regulations shall apply to nonconforming buildings:

1. The nonconforming use of a building may be changed to a use of the same or more restricted nature provided that in each case a use permit is first secured.
2. The nonconforming use of a portion of a building may be extended throughout the building provided that in each case a use permit is first secured.
3. The enlargement, extension, reconstruction or structural alteration of a nonconforming building may be permitted provided that in each case a use permit is first secured.
4. Ordinary maintenance and repairs may be made to any nonconforming building providing no structural alterations are made and provided that such work does not exceed the assessed value in any one year period.

(Ord. 67-10 § 5.0205, 1967)

Nothing contained in Chapters 20.02 - 20.60 requires any change in the plans, construction or designated use of any building upon which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date an area is zoned or rezoned under Chapters 20.02 - 20.60. "Actual construction" means the actual placing of construction materials in their permanent position, fastened in a permanent manner or actual work in excavating a basement, provided that in all cases actual construction work shall be diligently carried on until the completion of the building or structure involved.

(Ord. 67-10 § 5.0206, 1967)