Within the zoning districts established by this chapter or subsequent amendments hereto, there exist or will exist certain nonconformities which, if lawful before this chapter was passed or amended, may be continued, subject to certain limitations.

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require a change in the plans for any building, structure, or land use for which a permit was issued prior to the effective date of this chapter or subsequent amendment thereto, provided the authorized activity is begun, in the opinion of the issuing officer, within six months of the issuance of the permit.

Any lot shown on a recorded subdivision plan on the effective date of this chapter or after the enactment of subsequent amendments hereto which does not meet the minimum size or width requirements of the zoning district in which it is located may be used for a use permitted by use regulations of that district, provided that all yard, height, coverage, and open space requirements of the zoning district shall be met, further subject to the following subsection; provided, however, that when a subdivider has had an application for approval of a preliminary or final subdivision plan approved prior to the effective date of this chapter, no provision in this chapter shall be applied to affect adversely the right of the subdivider to commence and complete any aspect of the approved preliminary or final plan in accordance with the terms of such approval within the time limits established in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.

Any lot held in single and separate ownership on the effective date of this chapter or after the enactment of subsequent amendments thereto which does not meet the minimum size or width requirements of the zoning district in which it is located may be used for any use permitted in that district, provided that all yard, height, coverage, and open space requirements of the district are met; provided, however, that if two or more lots, combination of lots, or portions of lots with continuous frontage in single ownership are of record at the time of passage or amendment of this chapter, and if all or part of the lots do not meet the requirements established for lot width and/or area, the land involved shall be considered to be an undivided parcel for the purpose of this chapter, and no portion of said parcel shall be used or sold in a manner which diminishes compliance with lot width and/or area requirements established by this chapter, nor shall any division of any parcel be made which creates a lot width or area below the requirements stated in this chapter.

A nonconforming use, building, or structure shall not be enlarged or increased upon land not owned, leased or under option to purchase at the time of the enactment of this chapter.

Any additional or expanded structures, uses, or buildings erected or established in connection with an existing nonconforming use shall meet all the area, yard, and height regulations of the applicable zoning district.

A nonconforming use shall not be expanded unless such expansion has been approved by the Zoning Officer. No more than one expansion shall be permitted, except by special exception granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.

A nonconforming building or structure shall not be enlarged, increased, repaired, maintained, or modified in any manner which will further violate any regulation imposed by this chapter, except that a principal building which existed at the effective date of this chapter which is nonconforming as to a yard requirements may have repairs, improvements, maintenance, modifications, and additions made to those portions of the building located within the required yard, provided that no repair, improvement, maintenance, modification, or addition shall be made which will cause any part of the building to project into the yard farther than the building did at the effective date of this chapter.

A nonconforming use may be expanded within a building containing that nonconforming use at the effective date of this chapter, provided that the nonconforming use shall not occupy a portion of the building containing a conforming use at the effective date of this chapter. A nonconforming use may also be expanded into a new building or extension of an existing building containing the use.

Total future expansion of a nonconforming use shall not exceed 25% of the area occupied by the use at the time it first became a nonconforming use.

Nonconforming signs shall not be expanded.

Any nonconforming building or structure or a building or structure containing a nonconforming use of which the basic structural elements are totally destroyed by any means may be rebuilt and used for the same nonconforming use. Any subsequent building or structure shall comply with all requirements of this chapter. New construction shall begin within 12 months of the date of destruction and be carried to completion without any interruption which is within the control of the owner.

A nonconforming building or structure or a building or structure containing a nonconforming use of which the basic structure elements are partially destroyed, or which is partially destroyed but which has all basic structural elements remaining, may be reconstructed. The reconstructed portions of a building or structure shall not be more nonconforming in any respect that the portions of the building or structure which were destroyed. Reconstruction shall begin within 12 months of the date of destruction and be carried to completion without any interruption which is within the control of the owner.

Any nonconforming building or structure or building or structure containing a nonconforming use which is destroyed to any extent shall be inspected by the Borough Building Inspector. Any building or structure which shall be deemed unsafe by the Building Inspector shall be taken down and removed or made safe and secure as the Building Inspector may deem necessary in the public interest.