Any nonconforming use of land or structures may be continued (for indefinite periods of time) subject to such regulations as the board of adjustments may required [require] for immediate preservation of the adjoining property prior to ultimate removal of the nonconforming use. The building official may grant a change of occupancy from one nonconforming use to another, providing the use is within the same or a more restrictive classification as the original nonconforming use. In the event a nonconforming use of a building may be changed to another nonconforming use of a more restrictive classification it shall not be later changed to a less restrictive classification of use and the prior less restrictive classification shall be considered to have been abandoned. Existing residences located in nonresidential districts may be improved, maintained, or rebuilt as conforming structures.

If a structure occupied by a nonconforming use is destroyed by fire, the elements, or other cause, it may not be rebuilt except to conform to the provisions of this ordinance. In the case of a partial destruction of a nonconforming use not exceeding 75 percent of its reasonable value, reconstruction will be permitted but the site or function of the nonconforming use cannot be expanded.

If a nonconforming use on a particular parcel shall cease operation for a period of more than six months, then such nonconforming use shall be deemed to be permanently abandoned and shall not be reinstituted on that parcel or any other parcel in any district which does not permit the discontinued use. For the purpose of this paragraph, to “cease operation” shall mean to intentionally abandon the nonconforming use. The temporary suspension of a use shall not constitute abandonment, provided the property is not used during the period of suspension for any other purpose.