Except as otherwise provided for in this article, the lawful use of buildings or properties existing at the date of the adoption of this chapter may be continued. It is the intent of this article that all nonconforming uses or lots shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended except in conformance with this chapter. The following provisions shall apply to all nonconforming uses and lots.

A nonconforming lot shall not be further reduced in size. In any district in which single-family dwellings are permitted, a single-family dwelling and customary accessory structures may be erected on any single lot of record at the effective date of this chapter. This provision shall apply even though such lot fails to meet the requirements for area or width, or both, applicable to the district.

If no structural alterations are made, any nonconforming use of a structure may be changed to another nonconforming use if such change is equally appropriate or more appropriate to the district in which the nonconforming use is located. A special use permit shall be obtained prior to making such a change.

In any district where a nonconforming use of land or structure or part or portion thereof has been discontinued for a period of one year, such nonconforming use shall not thereafter be reestablished. For the purposes of this section, it is assumed that a use has been discontinued if:

Any sign in legal existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall be allowed to continue except as follows:

Whenever the boundaries of a district shall be changed so as to transfer an area from one district to another of a different classification, the foregoing provisions shall also apply to any nonconforming use existing therein or created thereby.

Nothing herein shall require any change in the plans, construction or designated use of a structure for which a permit has been duly granted before the adoption of this chapter.

After the effective date of this chapter and upon the written application of the owner of record of any structure or parcel of land, the Code Enforcement Officer may issue a certificate of nonconformity. It shall be the duty of the applicant to provide sufficient documentation and other proof reasonably required by the Code Enforcement Officer to demonstrate that the structure or parcel of land became nonconforming upon the effective date of the law and solely because of the adoption of this chapter. Said certificate shall include a full description of the existing use, location of all structures and property boundaries. Copies of said certificate shall be maintained by the Code Enforcement Officer.