Continuation. Any lawful nonconforming use of land, buildings, or structures, or parts thereof, may continue as it existed prior to the effective date of this chapter or the amendment thereto by which such use became a nonconforming use; provided, however, that any such use shall otherwise be and remain in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations.

Discontinuance. Whenever a nonconforming use, in or on the land, or within a building or structure or portion thereof, has been discontinued for a continuous period of more than one year, such discontinuance shall be deemed to be an abandonment of such nonconforming use, and any subsequent use thereof shall conform to the applicable provisions of this chapter or its amendments, and the prior nonconforming use shall not thereafter be resumed.

Expansion or extension of nonconforming use by variance.

Any religious and public education use, legally in existence as of the amendment of June 26, 2002, to this chapter shall be regulated by the following provisions:

Continuation. Any lawful nonconforming building or structure may remain as it existed prior to the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto by which such building or structure became nonconforming.

Expansion or extension of nonconforming buildings or structures by special exception. A nonconforming building or structure may not be expanded, extended or increased in size in any manner except pursuant to a special exception obtained from the Zoning Hearing Board, which exception shall not be granted if the expansion will be detrimental to the public health, welfare and safety, or will increase the use nonconformity.

Repairs, renovation and modernization of nonconforming building and structure. Repairs, renovation and modernization of nonconforming buildings or structures shall be permitted notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, provided that such repairs, renovations or modernization do not change or alter substantially the physical configuration of the nonconforming building or structure, or change its position on the ground; and provided further that no increase in the size of or area covered by the said nonconforming building or structure nor any extension or expansion of the nonconforming use or area of such use within the building or structure in or on the lot where such nonconforming use is located shall be permitted or authorized by this section; also provided, further, that areas of nonconforming use within a building or structure may be rearranged in connection with such repairs, renovation or modernization if there is not thereby an enlargement or expansion of the nonconforming use within said building or structure.

Reconstruction of nonconforming use, building or structure. In the event that any nonconforming building or structure is destroyed to a degree of less than 50% by fire, explosion or other causes, such nonconforming use, building or structure may be reconstructed and the nonconforming use thereof continued if such reconstruction is commenced within six months of the date of the destruction or damage thereto and is pursued diligently to completion; provided, however, that in such reconstruction the said building or structure shall not exceed the size of the nonconforming building or structure destroyed or damaged, and shall be placed in the same location on the ground as the nonconforming use, building or structure destroyed or damaged, and the nonconforming use thereof shall not differ from that existing prior to such damage or destruction. If reconstruction does not commence within six months after the occurrence of the damage or destruction, or is not thereafter diligently completed, then any further use, buildings or structures on the lot shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. If the destruction exceeds 50%, the right to the nonconformity shall expire and the remains shall be removed from the premises within six months.

Alteration or moving. A nonconforming sign of any type shall not be moved to another position or location upon the building, structure or lot, on which it is located, nor shall the size or area of such nonconforming sign be altered or increased or its structure or construction altered or changed.

Damage or destruction. Whenever any nonconforming sign has been damaged or destroyed by any means to the extent of 50% of its market value at the time of the destruction or damage, such sign shall not be restored or replaced, unless it conforms to all provisions of this chapter.

Discontinuance. Whenever any nonconforming sign is accessory to a nonconforming use of a building, structure or land and such nonconforming use of the building, structure or land is discontinued for a continuous period of more than six months, then such nonconforming sign shall be removed within six months from the end of the aforesaid six-month period, and the use of signs upon such building, structure or land shall not be resumed except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

The Zoning Officer may take such further steps as may be necessary to identify and register nonconforming buildings, structures or uses as may be required by the PA MPC. The Zoning Officer shall establish and make available at his or her office a form for such registration, which shall require such information as the Zoning Officer may deem necessary to identify such nonconforming buildings, structures and uses.

The Zoning Officer may issue applications for registration of nonconforming buildings, structures, or uses to all nonconformities existing at the effective date of this chapter.

To establish a nonconforming building, structure, or use under the terms of this chapter, the owner of such nonconformity must produce proof that the nonconformity existed at the effective date of this chapter.

A certificate of nonconformity issued by the Zoning Officer will be considered sufficient proof of said nonconformity. Certificate of nonconformity will be issued on application.