The lawful use of land which does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter shall be discontinued within one (1) year from the date of the approval of this Chapter and use of land and signs and bulletin boards which become non-conforming by reason of a subsequent change in the Zoning Code of the City of Willow Springs, Missouri, shall also be discontinued within one (1) year from the date of the change.

The lawful use of a building existing at the time of the effective date of this Chapter may be continued, although such use does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter. 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.

Whenever the use of a building becomes non-conforming through a change in zoning requirements or district boundaries, such use may be continued and if no structural alterations are made, it may be changed to another non-conforming use of the same or of a more restricted classification.

Whenever a non-conforming use of a building or structure or part thereof has been discontinued for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months or for a continuous period of eighteen (18) months if the building was originally designed and constructed for a non-residential use, such use shall not, after being discontinued or abandoned, be re-established and the use of the premises thereafter shall be in conformity with the regulations of the district.

Where no enclosed building is involved, discontinuance of a non-conforming use for a period of six (6) months shall constitute abandonment.

No existing building or premises devoted to a use not permitted in the district in which such building or premises is located, except when required to do so by law or order, shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or structurally altered, unless such use is changed to a use permitted in the district in which such building or premises is located.

Any building or structure containing a non-conforming use which is damaged by fire, flood, wind or other act of God or man to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its fair sales value immediately prior to damage shall not be repaired or reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter. In the event that the Building and Zoning Officer's estimate of the extent of damage of fair sales value is not acceptable to the applicant for the building permit to repair or reconstruct such building or structure, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Adjustment.

No building or structure designed or intended to be utilized for a non-conformant use shall be constructed or allowed unless construction is already underway at the time of the enactment of this Zoning Code or subsequent amendment of the Zoning Code prosecuted so that such building or structure will be completed within eighteen (18) months from the time of the enactment or subsequent amendment of this Zoning Code. All outstanding building permits for construction which do not meet these requirements shall be rendered null and void by the enactment or subsequent amendment of this Zoning Code.