Except as otherwise provided herein, the lawful use of a building or structure or the lawful use of any land existing and lawful at the effective date of this Zoning chapter, or in the case of a change of regulations, then at the time of such change, may be continued, although such use does not conform to the provisions hereof. Except as provided in this article, such nonconforming use may not be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or structurally altered, except in compliance with the provisions of this Zoning chapter.

Whenever a nonconforming use of land or buildings 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 nonconforming use of a building may not be further extended through the same building.

No building or portion thereof used in whole or in part for a nonconforming use in any district which remains idle or unused for a continuous period of one year, whether or not the equipment or fixtures are removed, shall again be used except in conformity with the regulations of the district in which such building or land is located.

If the municipality acquires title to any property by reason of tax delinquency and such property is not redeemed as provided by law, the future use of such property shall be in conformity with the then existing provisions of the zoning regulations of the municipality.

No building that has been damaged by any cause whatsoever to the extent of more than 50% of the fair market value of the building, as measured immediately prior to damage, shall be restored, except in conformity with the regulations of this Zoning chapter, and all rights as a nonconforming use are terminated. If a building is damaged by less than 50% of its 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 with 12 months of the date of such damage.

If the owner of a lot in any district does not own a parcel or tract of land immediately adjacent to such lot, and if the deed or instrument under which such owner acquired title to such lot was lawfully of record prior to the application of zoning regulations and restrictions to the premises, and if such lot does not conform to the requirements of such regulations and restrictions as to area and dimensions of lots, the provisions of such lot area and dimension regulations and restrictions shall not prevent the owner of such lot from erecting a single-family dwelling or making other improvements on the lot, provided that such improvements conform in all other respects to applicable zoning and health regulations and restrictions.

In a residential district where any sign does not comply with the provisions of this Zoning chapter, such sign and any supporting structures may be maintained but shall not be replaced, reconstructed, moved, structurally altered or relighted, except in compliance with the provisions of this Zoning chapter, and may continue in use unless subject to removal under other provisions of this Zoning chapter. Removal, replacement, reconstruction, moving or structural alteration for any cause whatsoever shall be considered as loss of nonconforming status. Supporting structures for nonconforming signs may continue in use for a conforming sign if said support structures comply in all respects to the applicable requirements of these regulations and other codes and laws. No permits for additional signs shall be issued for any premises on which there are any nonconforming signs.

A dwelling nonconforming as to use in a business or industrial district shall be required to comply with the otherwise applicable height, area and bulk requirements of this Zoning chapter.