Any nonconforming building, structure or use which has been destroyed by fire, explosion, flood, windstorm or other act of God or the public enemy shall be considered partially destroyed if the cost of restoration equals 1/2 or less than 1/2 of the estimated true value of the building as determined by the Tax Assessor and such building or structure or use may be rebuilt, restored or repaired. If the damage is greater than above outlined, the building or use shall be considered completely destroyed and shall not be rebuilt, restored or repaired unless in conformity to the building and use requirements of this chapter.

Normal maintenance, repairs and incidental alteration of a building containing a nonconforming use is permitted, provided it does not extend the area or volume of space occupying the nonconforming use, nor change the use to which the building is put. A building containing a residential, nonconforming use may be altered in any way to improve interior livability, provided that no structural alterations are made which would increase the number of dwelling units or the bulk of the building.