(1) If the principal activity on property where a nonconforming use or situation exists is (a) discontinued for a consecutive period of 180 calendar days, or (b) discontinued for any period of time without a present intention of resuming that activity, then that property may thereafter be used only in conformity with all of the regulations applicable to the preexisting use, unless the planning director approves the property to be used for this purpose without correcting the nonconforming situations. A permit may be issued if the planning director finds that eliminating a particular nonconformity is not reasonably possible (i.e., cannot be accomplished without adding additional land to the lot where the nonconforming situation is maintained or moving a substantial structure that is on a permanent foundation). The permit shall specify which nonconformities need not be corrected.

(2) For purposes of determining whether a right to continue a nonconforming situation is lost pursuant to this section, all of the buildings, activities, and operations maintained on a lot are generally to be considered as a whole. For example, the failure to rent one apartment in a nonconforming apartment building for 180 calendar days shall not result in a loss of the right to rent that apartment or space thereafter, so long as the apartment building as a whole is continuously maintained. But if a nonconforming use is maintained in conjunction with a conforming use, discontinuance of a nonconforming use for the required period shall terminate the right to maintain it thereafter.

(3) When a structure or operation made nonconforming by this code is vacant or discontinued at the effective date of this code, the 180 calendar-day period for purposes of this section begins to run on the effective date of this zoning code. (Ord. 1110 § 3, 2002; Ord. 1084 § 3, 2000; Ord. 929 Ch. 6(Q)(9), 1995).