Nonconforming uses are incompatible with and detrimental to permitted uses in the zoning districts in which they are located, cause disruption of the comprehensive land use pattern of the Town, inhibit present and future development of nearby properties and confer upon their owners and uses a position of unfair advantage.

It is a fundamental principle of this article that nonconformities may be continued until abandoned but shall not be increased and shall be reduced to conformity according to the fair interests of the parties involved.

Any structure, building, sign or other improvement lawfully existing at the time of adoption or amendment of this chapter but which is nonconforming by dimension shall be permitted to continue in the same manner. If said legally nonconforming structure, building, sign or other improvement is intentionally destroyed, relocated or altered, it shall lose its nonconforming status. However, if such destruction, relocation or alteration is the result of fire or a natural catastrophe, the legal nonconforming improvement may be rebuilt in its previous configuration.

Any extension, addition or enlargement of a nonconforming structure shall comply with the dimensional regulations and parking requirements of this chapter. Additionally, the whole structure must comply with the zone's maximum lot coverage requirement.

Any use or activity lawfully existing at the time of adoption or amendment of this chapter but which is nonconforming by use shall be permitted to continue in the same manner until said use or activity is abandoned, relocated or changed. Abandoned uses shall not be reestablished.

Abandonment of a nonconforming use shall consist of either an owner's (or legal tenant's, if applicable) overt act or failure to act which demonstrates that there is neither a claim nor any interest in continuing the nonconforming use. If any nonconforming use is discontinued for a period of one year, the nonconforming use will be presumed to have been abandoned unless determined otherwise by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

A nonconforming use in any zone shall not be enlarged, expanded, intensified or changed from one nonconforming use to another nonconforming use.

A nonconforming residential use may change only to a use that conforms to the provisions of this chapter.

A nonconforming agricultural, commercial or industrial use may be changed only to a use that conforms to the provisions of this chapter or to an equal or less intense use in the same category.