§ 190-158. Termination of nonconforming uses.

A. 

Abandonment. The discontinuance of a nonconforming use for a period of one year and/or the change of use to a more restrictive or conforming use for any period of time shall be considered an abandonment thereof, and such nonconforming use shall not thereafter be revived. Intent to resume active operations shall not constitute continuance of a nonconforming use.

B. 

Partial destruction. Any nonconforming building or structure, which as a result of fire, explosion or other casualty, has 50% or more of its then existing floor area destroyed, the use of such building or structure, as a nonconforming use shall thereafter be terminated and any new construction shall be in accordance with the regulations of this chapter.

C. 

Amortization. In Residence Districts, certain nonconforming uses will be required to terminate at the end of an amortization period as follows:

(1) 

Junkyards and automobile wrecking yards must terminate in three years.

(2) 

Other open uses such as coal storage, open lumber storage, etc., with improvement assessed at less than $20,000, must terminate in eight years.

(3) 

Billboards must terminate in three years or immediately if destroyed to 25% of their value.

(4) 

In all districts, nonconforming signs will be required to terminate in three years.