2.   Resumption of Use of Residential Structure Prohibited: A residential structure in or on which a non-conforming residential use is discontinued for a period exceeding five (5) years, or which is superseded by a conforming use, may not again be devoted to a non-conforming use, even if the owner has not intended to abandon the use.

3.   A Structure Non-Conforming As To Use: Except for single family dwellings, a building or structure, non-conforming as to use, shall not be enlarged unless the non-conforming use is terminated. A non-conforming use or part of a building or structure shall not be extended throughout other parts of the building or structure unless those parts of the building or structure were manifestly arranged or designed for such use prior to the adoption of this Ordinance, or of any amendment making such use non-conforming. Non-conforming residential uses may, after obtaining a permit from the Planning Board, be expanded within existing residential structures or within expansions of such residential structures, as permitted in this Ordinance, including the provisions applying to the Shoreland Zone.

4.   Change of Use: A legally existing non-conforming use may be changed to another non-conforming use provided that the proposed use is equally or more appropriate to the district than the existing non-conforming use, and the impact on adjacent properties is less adverse than the impact of the former use as determined by the Appeals Board. The case shall be heard as an administrative appeal. The determination of appropriateness shall require written findings on the probable changes in traffic (volume and type), parking, noise, potential for litter, wastes or by-products, fumes, odors, or other nuisances likely to result from such change of use. The performance standards in Article VII of this ordinance shall apply to such requests to establish new non-conforming uses.

5.   Use of Land: A non-conforming use of land may not be extended into any part of the remainder of a lot of land. A non-conforming use of land which is accessory to a non-conforming use of a building shall be discontinued at the same time the non-conforming use of the building is discontinued.

In the case of earth removal operations, the removal of earth may not be extended as a non-conforming use beyond the required set-back lines of the specific parcel upon which such operations were in progress when such use became non-conforming, as required by the performance standards for extractive industries. Adjacent parcels in the same or different ownership shall not be eligible for exemption under the non-conforming use provisions unless earth removal operations were in progress on these parcels before these provisions were enacted.

The provision of required off-street parking for an existing non-conforming use shall not be considered an expansion of the use.

1.   Enlargements Controlled: A non-conforming structure shall not be added to or enlarged unless: such addition or enlargement conforms to all the regulations of the district in which it is located; the addition does not increase the non-conformity of the structure; or a variance is obtained. In addition, state laws must be adhered to.

a.   The addition of an open patio with no structures elevated above ground level shall not constitute the expansion of a non-conforming structure. The addition of steps or the enclosure of an existing deck shall not constitute the expansion of a non-conforming structure. But the addition of a deck shall constitute the expansion of a non-conforming structure and shall meet all the dimensional requirements of this ordinance.

b.   The placing of a foundation below a lawfully existing non-conforming structure shall not constitute the expansion of the structure so long as the first floor space of the structure is not increased.

c.   Construction or expansion of a foundation under an existing dwelling which expands habitable space shall be considered an expansion and shall be subject to the State Plumbing Laws (Title 30, Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, §3221, Subsection 4) requiring documentation of wastewater disposal capabilities.

2.   Discontinuance: Discontinuance of the use of a legally existing non-conforming structure shall not constitute abandonment of the structure. Conforming use of the structure may be commenced at any time.

3.   Lack of Required Parking or Loading Space: A building or structure which is non-conforming as to the requirements for off-street parking and/or loading space shall not be enlarged, added to, or altered unless off-street parking and/or loading space is provided to bring parking and/or loading space into conformance with the requirements of this ordinance for both the addition or alteration and the original building or structure, or a variance is obtained.

1.   Vacant Lots: A vacant non-conforming lot of record may be built upon without a variance provided that such lot is in separate ownership and not contiguous with any other vacant lot in the same ownership; that a permit to build the proposed structure on the lot could legally have been issued without a variance under the zoning and land use provisions in effect immediately before the enactment of this Ordinance; and that all provisions of this Ordinance except lot size and frontage can be met. If proposed construction on a non-conforming lot fails to meet the applicable requirements of this Ordinance, then no construction shall be permitted on the lot unless a variance from the applicable requirements is first obtained from the Board of Appeals.

2.   Built Lots: A non-conforming lot on which a structure was legally built prior to the enactment or subsequent amendment of this Ordinance is subject to the following restrictions: The structure(s) may be repaired, maintained, or improved, and may be enlarged provided that, as enlarged, they conform with all dimensional requirements of this Ordinance except lot area, lot width, or lot frontage. If the proposed enlargement of the structure(s) cannot meet the applicable dimensional requirements, then no permit shall issue for the proposed enlargement unless a variance from the applicable dimensional requirements is first obtained from the Board of Appeals.

3.   Contiguous Built Lots: If two or more contiguous lots or parcels are in common ownership of record at the time of adoption of this Ordinance, if one or more of the lots do not meet the dimensional requirements of this Ordinance, and if a principle use exists legally on each lot, the non-conforming lots may be conveyed separately or together, providing the State Minimum Lot Size Law and Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules are complied with. If two or more principal uses existed legally on a single lot of record on the effective date of this ordinance, each may be sold on a separate lot provided that the above-referenced Law and Rules are complied with. When such lots are divided, each lot thus created must conform as nearly as possible to the dimensional requirements of this Ordinance.

4.   Contiguous Lots - Vacant or Partially Built: If two or more contiguous lots or parcels are in single or joint ownership of record at the time of or since adoption or amendment of this Ordinance, if any of these lots does not individually meet the dimensional requirements of this Ordinance or subsequent amendments, and if one or more of the lots are vacant or contain only an accessory structure or only a structure not legally permitted at the time of adoption of this Ordinance, the lots shall be combined to the extent necessary to meet the dimensional standards, except where rights have vested.