This article shall apply to all uses in the City except in the following circumstances:

A "nonconforming use" is an active and actual use of land or structures, or both, legally established prior to the effective date of this chapter or subsequent applicable amendment thereto, which has continued as the same use to the present and which would not be permitted under the current terms of this chapter.

Any nonconforming use lawfully existing upon the effective date of this chapter may be continued at the size and in a manner of operation existing upon such date, except as specified in this article. Any legal use under the previous Zoning Ordinance which is made nonconforming by this chapter may apply for a conditional use permit (per § 550-142) to be granted legal conforming status. Any legal use under the previous Zoning Map which is made nonconforming by a change to the Official Zoning Map may apply for a Zoning Map amendment (per § 550-141) to an appropriate zoning district to be granted legal conforming use status.

When any nonconforming use of any structure or land is discontinued for a period of 12 months or is changed into a conforming use, any future use of said structure or land shall be in complete conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

The normal maintenance of aspects of the structure and/or equipment and furnishings unique to the nonconforming use is permitted, including necessary repairs and incidental alterations which do not exacerbate the adverse impacts of the nonconforming use in relation to the purposes of this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this article, whenever a nonconforming use is damaged to the extent of more than 50% of its current equalized assessed value, it shall not be restored except in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located.

A legal nonconforming two-family structure which is destroyed by fire, tornado or other disaster may apply for consideration as a conditional use to be reconstructed so as not to expand the floor area or footprint of the structure if said structure is located in an area which was zoned to permit two-family dwellings on the day preceding the effective date of this chapter.

See §§ 550-77, 550-84 and 550-85.

The established uses at the corresponding addresses and in the zoning districts listed below, as of the adoption date of the Official Zoning Map, are hereby granted legal conforming use status. Building additions and reconstruction of damaged or demolished buildings shall fully conform to all bulk requirements (setbacks, height and floor area) of the zoning district. Any change in land use of these properties to a conforming use in the zoning district shall eliminate the application of the ability to legally continue or reestablish the listed use.