Within the zoning districts established by this Chapter or subsequent amendments thereto, there exists or will exist certain nonconformities which, if lawful before this Chapter was passed or amended, may be continued, subject to certain limitations, although such nonconformities would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this Chapter or subsequent amendment thereto.

To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction or designated use of any building or structure on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Chapter and on which actual building construction has been diligently carried on.

In any district, structures and customary accessory buildings may be erected on any single lot of record at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Chapter notwithstanding limitations imposed by other provisions of this Chapter. This provision shall apply even though such lot fails to meet the requirements for area or width or both that are generally applicable in the district. Variance of yard requirements shall be obtained only through action of the Zoning Hearing Board.

If two or more lots, combination of lots and portion of lots with continuous frontage in single ownership are of record at the time of passage or amendment of this Chapter, and if all or part of the lots do not meet the requirements established for lot width and/or area, the land involved shall be considered to be an undivided parcel for the purpose of this Chapter, and no portion of said parcel shall be used or sold in a manner which diminishes compliance with width and/or area requirements established by this Chapter, nor shall any division of any parcel be made which creates a lot with width or area below the requirements stated in this Chapter.

Extension. No such nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased or expanded unless by special exception granted by the Zoning Hearing Board as long as such extension does not detract from the character of the neighborhood.

Discontinuance. Whenever a nonconforming use has been discontinued for a period of 12 consecutive months, such use shall not thereafter be reestablished. Any future use shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.

Changes or Moving of Use. A nonconforming use, if changed to a conforming use, shall not thereafter be changed back to any nonconforming use. A nonconforming use may, by special exception, be changed to another nonconforming use provided that the Zoning Hearing Board shall find that the proposed use is equally appropriate or more appropriate in the zoning district than the exiting nonconforming use.

Additional Structures or Buildings. No additional structures or buildings not conforming to the requirements of this Chapter shall be erected in connection with such nonconforming use of land.

Enlargement. No such nonconforming structure or building may be enlarged or altered in a way, which increases it nonconformity, but any structure or portion thereof may be altered to decrease its nonconformity.

Moving of Structure or Building. No nonconforming structure or building shall be, for any reason, moved for any distance unless it shall thereafter conform to the zoning regulations for the district in which it is located after it is moved.

Discontinuance. Whenever a nonconforming structure or building has been vacated for a period of 18 consecutive months, such structure or building shall thereafter not be used except in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter.

Extension. A nonconforming use may be extended throughout any part of an existing structure or building provided, that any structural alterations, extensions or additions shall comply with all provisions of this Chapter with respect to height, area, width, yard and coverage requirement for the zoning district in which the structure or building is located. However, such extension of a nonconforming use shall not exceed 50% of the gross floor area occupied by said nonconforming use at the time such nonconforming use became nonconforming.

Change of Use. A nonconforming use, if changed to a conforming use, shall not thereafter be changed back to any nonconforming use. A nonconforming use may, by special exception, be changed to another nonconforming use; provided, that the Zoning Hearing Board shall find that the proposed use is equally appropriate or more appropriate in the zoning district than the existing nonconforming use.

Discontinuance. Whenever a nonconforming use of a structure or building or portion thereof has been discontinued or abandoned for 18 consecutive months, such structure or building or portion thereof shall not thereafter be used for a nonconforming use.

Destruction.

Such a listing shall be a matter of public record and shall constitute sufficient notice of the nonconforming status of said use and/or structures and the limitations therein expressed and implied to any transferee acquiring any right to use or own such property.

If possible, this list of nonconforming uses shall consist of a statement covering the general character and conduct of such use and any effects, adverse or otherwise, that this use has on the surrounding area.