Except where provided otherwise, any building, structure, or use lawfully existing at the time of enactment of this ordinance [August 14, 1997] may be continued as a nonconforming use even though such building, structure, or use does not conform with the provisions of this ordinance for the use district in which it is located. Similarly, whenever a use district shall be changed thereafter, the then existing lawful use may be continued. However, nonconforming uses shall be brought into compliance under the provisions stated below.

6.201. No building, structure, or premises containing [a] nonconforming use shall hereafter be extended or expanded unless such extension or alterations hall conform to provisions of the use district in which it is located.

6.202. Structural repairs and alterations to an owner occupied nonconforming building or structure may be permitted regardless of the extent of the damage if completed within 18 months from the time the damage occurred.

6.203. Any nonowner-occupied nonconforming building or structure which has been damaged to an extent not exceeding 75 percent of its replacement valuation by reason of fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, riot, war, or act of God may be reconstructed and reused as before, if completed within 18 months from the time such damage occurred. If such damage is greater than 75 percent of the replacement valuation such building or structure may only be reconstructed to conform with the provisions of the use district in which it is situated. Local appraisal shall govern that value of the structure. The City may use the appraised value as provided by the Parish Assessor.

6.204. No building or structure or premises where a nonconforming use has ceased for reasons other than those stated in section 6.203 for a period of more than 18 months or has changed to a permitted or conforming use, shall again be used as a nonconforming use.

6.205. Any nonconforming sign or billboard which lawfully existed prior to the effective date of this ordinance may be continued for a period of not more than one year except that an identifying nonconforming sign or billboard attached to a nonconforming building structure may be maintained through the lawful nonconformity of such building or structure.

This section shall not include as legally nonconforming uses these mobile homes or trailers which were placed illegally without the consent of the city or were allowed through issuance of a temporary permit by the city. Such cases shall continue to be nonconforming as per this ordinance and shall be made conforming. Trailers placed illegally shall be moved. Temporary trailers shall be allowed to remain only as per agreement reached between the original owner, adjacent property owners, and the city at the time of issuance of temporary permit. If not specified otherwise, temporary trailers shall be moved to a conforming location when the original owner ceases to be the occupant for any reason.

(Ord. No. 575, §§ 6.202, 6.203, 6-26-2002)