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Shamokin City Zoning Code

ARTICLE IV

Nonconforming Buildings and Uses

§ 510-18 Compliance required.

All lawful uses of land or of a building, sign or other structure existing on the effective date of this chapter may be continued, altered, reconstructed, changed, sold or maintained, even though such use may not conform to the use, height, area, yard and other regulations of the district in which it is located, provided such nonconforming conditions shall comply with the following.

§ 510-19 Continuations.

A. 
The owner of the premises occupied by a lawful nonconforming use or building existing at the effective date of this chapter may secure a certificate of nonconformance which shall be for the purpose of ensuring to the owner the right to continue a nonconforming building or use. (See § 510-36C.)
B. 
Business identification signs. Nonconforming business identification signs on existing nonconforming uses may be continued and maintained provided that such signs shall conform to the general regulations. (See § 510-27.)

§ 510-20 Alterations.

A. 
Repairs and structural alterations may be made to a nonconforming building or a building occupied by a nonconforming use.
B. 
A nonconforming building which is damaged by fire, explosion or act of God may be rebuilt and used for the same purposes, provided that:
(1) 
The reconstruction of the building is commenced within one year from the date of the destroying of the building and is carried to completion without undue delay.
(2) 
The reconstructed building does not exceed in height, area and volume the building destroyed.
(3) 
The reconstructed building shall comply with the area regulations of the district in which it is located.

§ 510-21 Extensions or enlargements.

The extension and enlargement for nonconforming uses and/or buildings existing on the effective date of this chapter are permitted upon the lot occupied by the building and/or use or upon abutting lots, provided that:
A. 
The extension or enlargement of the building or use shall be provided with off-street loading and unloading space. Article VI shall be used as a guide in determining the size and number of the spaces.
B. 
Plans for the extension or enlargement are submitted to the Board of Adjustment for review and approval.

§ 510-22 Change of use.

A nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use of the same or more restricted classification; whenever a nonconforming use has been changed to a more restricted classification or to a conforming use, such use shall not hereafter be changed to a use of less restricted classification.

§ 510-23 Abandonment.

If the nonconforming use of a building or land ceases for a period of two years, the subsequent use of such building or land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.