A lawful use of land, structure or a lawful use of land and structure in combination exactly as such existed before the date of adoption of this amendment may be continued, as hereinafter provided, as a nonconforming use or a nonconforming structure.

Maintenance and repairs of a building or other structure continuing a nonconforming use is permitted, provided that such repairs do not extend the area or volume of space occupied by the nonconforming use.

Any building or other structure containing residential nonconforming uses may be altered in any way to improve its livability, provided that no such alteration may be made which will increase the number of dwelling units or volume of the building.

A nonconforming use may be changed only to a conforming use. A nonconforming use may not be extended to displace a conforming use, nor may a building or structure, regardless of the conformity or ownership, be combined with another building or structure for the purpose of extending an existing nonconforming use or creating a different nonconforming use; provided, however, one nonconforming use may be substituted for an existing nonconforming use when the Zoning Board of Appeals finds the proposed substituting use to be less nonconforming than the existing use.

A nonconforming use, building or structure damaged by fire, casualty, or act of God may be restored, reconstructed and used as before, provided that the volume of such use, building or structure may not exceed the volume which existed prior to such damage and that any such restoration or reconstruction be substantially completed within one year of the occurrence of the damage.

A nonconforming use or structure shall be deemed to be permanently discontinued when such use has been discontinued or such building has been unused for a period of one year.

A single-family detached dwelling may be erected on a vacant nonconforming lot located in a residentially zoned district either pursuant to the provisions of § 380-12.07D, when connected to municipal water and wastewater systems or on a lot having an approved on-site wastewater permit issued by the Berrien County Health Department, provided the dwelling conforms to area and the following yard setback requirements: