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Elk Ridge City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 13

NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES

10-13-1: MAINTENANCE, REPAIR PERMITTED:

   A.   The owners of land and buildings shall not be deprived of any use of property for the purpose to which it is lawfully devoted at the time of the enactment of this development code.
   B.   Any building, structure or use of land, including, but not limited to, the raising of livestock, which is existing and lawful at the time of the enactment of this development code, but which does not conform to the provisions of this development code, shall be considered a nonconforming use and shall be allowed to continue, to the same extent and character as that which legally existed on the effective day of the applicable regulations, although such use does not now conform to provisions of the development code or amendment.
   C.   Repairs may be made to a nonconforming building or structure, or to a building or structure housing a nonconforming use, provided such repair: 1) shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the city building regulations, when applicable; and 2) does not have the effect of increasing the size or altering the character of the nonconforming building, structure or use.
   D.   Nonconforming uses shall run with the land. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-2: DAMAGED BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES MAY BE RESTORED:

   A.   A nonconforming building or structure or a building or structure occupied by a nonconforming use which is damaged or destroyed by fire, flood or other calamity or act of nature may be restored or reconstructed and the use thereof resumed; provided, that such restoration or reconstruction: 1) is commenced within a period of two (2) years from the date of occurrence of the damage; and 2) does not have the effect of increasing the size of building or structure or the floor space in excess of that which existed at the time the building became nonconforming, except when approved in accordance with the provisions of section 10-13-4 of this chapter.
   B.   Any such restored or reconstructed structure shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of the current city building regulations. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-3: EXPANSION OF USES WITHIN EXISTING STRUCTURES:

A nonconforming use located within a building may be extended throughout the same building in which said nonconforming use is located, provided no structural change is made or proposed in the building for the purpose of accommodating such extension. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-4: EXTENSION (ENLARGEMENT) AND RECONSTRUCTION; CONDITIONS:

   A.   Conditions: A nonconforming building or structure or a building housing a nonconforming use may be extended or enlarged or reconstructed, subject to the prior approval by the city council, after recommendation of the planning commission and upon compliance with the following:
      1.   The proposed extension or replacement shall be located entirely on the same lot or parcel as the present nonconforming structure and will conform with all existing setback and location requirements.
      2.   The applicant shall submit a detailed site plan showing the location of existing and proposed structures on the site and in the vicinity, existing lot boundaries, roads, driveways, parking areas, utilities, and other significant features on the site and in the immediate vicinity.
      3.   A finding made by a majority vote of the city council that:
         a.   The proposed enlargement or extension will not significantly alter the character of the building or use or its impact upon the area.
         b.   The building or use, if extended, will not have the effect of diminishing the value of property or the quality of the living environment of adjacent properties.
         c.   The proposed enlargement will not significantly increase the number of vehicles or pedestrians, or result in the establishment or increase of a safety hazard to the area.
         d.   The proposed enlargement will not result in the establishment of a condition incompatible with the neighborhood area and the stated objective of the zone in which it is located.
   B.   Attachment Of Necessary Conditions: The city council may attach such conditions to its approval as are necessary to adequately protect the property and uses in the surrounding territory and the intent of the zone, including, but not limited to, the providing of off street parking, accessways, landscaping features and additional setback of structures. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-5: SUBSTITUTION OF NONCONFORMING USES:

   A.   A nonconforming use or building may be changed to a conforming use or building. Any nonconforming building or use which has been changed to a conforming building or use shall not thereafter be changed back to a nonconforming use.
   B.   A nonconforming use of a building or lot shall not be changed to another nonconforming use whatsoever. Changes in use shall be made only to a conforming use. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-6: DISCONTINUANCE OR ABANDONMENT:

A nonconforming building or structure or portion thereof, or a lot occupied by a nonconforming use which is, or which hereafter becomes, abandoned or discontinued for a continuous period of two (2) years or more shall not thereafter be occupied, except by a use which conforms to the regulations of the zone in which it is located; provided, the city council may, upon appeal, authorize the reestablishment of a nonconforming use which has been discontinued for a period longer than provided herein, where the weight of evidence clearly shows that the owner had no intention to terminate the nonconforming use and that the longer period of discontinuance was beyond the control of the owner. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-7: RECLASSIFICATION OF TERRITORY:

The provisions pertaining to nonconforming uses of land and buildings shall also apply to land and buildings which hereafter become nonconforming due to an amendment of the ordinance codified herein or the zone map. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)

10-13-8: NONCONFORMING LOTS OF RECORD:

In all zones wherein single-family dwellings are listed as a permitted use, a single-family dwelling may be constructed on any lot or parcel of land, even though such lot or parcel does not comply with the area or width requirements for single-family dwellings within the zone, subject to a determination by the zoning administrator that the lot complies with all of the following: (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997; amd. Ord. 12-05, 11-27-2012)
   A.   The lot or parcel qualifies as a nonconforming lot of record (existed as a separately described parcel on the records of the county recorder prior to the effective date of the ordinance), and the parcel does not constitute an illegal subdivision lot; (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)
   B.   Single-family dwellings are listed as a permitted use in the present zone; and (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997; amd. Ord. 12-05, 11-27-2012)
   C.   All setbacks, height, access, building size, utility and special provision requirements of the existing zone and all applicable supplementary regulations can be met. (Ord. 97-7-8-8, 7-8-1997)