Any lawful use occupying any building, structure, lot or land at the time of the effective date of this Chapter or any amendment thereto which does not comply after the effective date of any amendment thereto with the use regulations of the district in which it is situated may be continued in the building or structure or upon the lot or land so occupied.

A nonconforming use or structure shall not be reconstructed, enlarged or extended, except as provided in this Article.

Any nonconforming use or structure existing at the time of the passage of this Chapter may be continued upon the lot or in the building so occupied, and any such structure may be restored or repaired if the cost of repair or restoration of the current equalized value of the new construction is less than 50% of the current equalized assessed value of the existing structure, or as otherwise provided by applicable law.

Any building or structure under construction pursuant to a building permit lawfully issued prior to the effective date of this Chapter may be completed and used for its designated purpose. If such building, structure or use is not, however, in compliance with this Chapter, then the building, structure or use shall be deemed a nonconforming use, building or structure, as the case may be.

In the event that there is an abandonment of any nonconforming use in accordance with applicable law, including evidence of non-use by the owner for a period of time reflecting the intent of the owner(s) to no longer use the property for the non-conforming use, other than a national emergency or act of God, the same shall be deemed to be an abandonment of such nonconforming use. Any subsequent exercise of such abandoned nonconforming use shall be deemed a violation of the terms of this Chapter.