The lawful use of a building existing at the effective date of this ordinance may be continued, although such use does not conform to the provisions hereof. If no structural alterations are made, a non-conforming use of a building may be changed to another non-conforming use of the same or of a more restricted classification. Whenever a non-conforming use has been changed to a more restricted use or to a conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed to a less restricted use. The non-conforming use of a building may be hereafter extended throughout those parts of a building which were lawfully and manifestly arranged or designed for such use at the time of the enactment of this ordinance.

Any building or portion thereof, used in whole or in part for a non-conforming use and which remains idle or unused for a continuous period of one (1) year, whether or not the equipment or fixtures are removed, shall only be used in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located.

Any building which has been damaged by any cause whatsoever to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of the fair market value of the building immediately prior to damage, shall be restored except in conformity with the regulations of this Chapter or Chapter 410, and all rights as a non-conforming use are terminated. If a building is damaged by less than fifty percent (50%) of the fair market value, it may be repaired or reconstructed and used as before the time of damage, provided that such repairs or reconstruction be substantially completed within twelve (12) months of the date of such damage.

Existing uses eligible for conditional use permits shall not be non-conforming uses, but shall require a conditional use permit for any alteration, enlargement, or extension.

The casual, intermittent, temporary, or illegal use of land or buildings shall not be sufficient to establish the existence of a non-conforming use, and the existence of a non-conforming use on the part of a lot or tract of land shall not be construed to establish a non-conforming use on the entire lot or tract of land.

Whether a non-conforming use exists shall be decided by the Director of the Division of Planning and Zoning upon application by the owner or developer of any existing structure or building or use for a certificate of non-conforming use. The burden shall be on the owner or developer to establish an entitlement to continue a non-conformity or to complete a non-conforming development. The Director of the Division of Planning and Zoning shall review all evidence submitted, inspect the structure, building, or use which is the subject of the application, and grant or deny the certificate. Within forty-five (45) days from the date on which the Director of the Division of Planning and Zoning issues a decision to grant or deny the certificate, the decision of the Director of the Division of Planning and Zoning may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, which shall hear and decide such an appeal in accordance with Part 7, Section 405.590 et seq.

A non-conforming use in violation of a provision of the ordinance or order which this ordinance repeals shall not be validated by the adoption of this ordinance.

When the use of a building becomes non-conforming through an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance or Zoning District Map, such use may be continued, and if no structural alterations are made, it may be changed to another non-conforming use of a higher classification.

A building containing a non-conforming use may not be enlarged, extended, or altered, unless such use is made to conform to the regulations of the district in which it is located, provided however, that in the case of evident hardship, a building containing a non-conforming use may be enlarged an amount not greater than fifty percent (50%) of its original area or ground floor area by variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment after public hearing.