Glenn County Municipal Code § 15.06 Nonconforming Uses

15.06.010 Nonconforming Uses¶

Use of Land. Any lawful use of land existing at the time of the adoption of this title or any zoning ordinance or amendment thereto may be continued, although such use does not conform to the regulation specified in such enactment title for the zone in which such land is located. A conditional use permit shall first be obtained for any enlargement or expansion.
Use of Building. Any lawful use of a building existing at the time of the adoption of any zoning ordinance, may be continued, although such use does not conform to the regulations specified for the zone in which such building is located. Except residential uses, a conditional use permit shall first be obtained for any enlargement or expansion of such non-conforming use by 21% or more. An administrative permit shall first be obtained for any enlargement or expansion of non-conforming uses of 20% or less in size or area. However, except as otherwise provided by law, nothing in this Title shall prevent the restoring to a safe condition of any part of a building or structure declared unsafe by proper authority.
Reconstruction of Nonconforming Building. A nonconforming building or structure damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, earthquake or other act, may be restored only if made to conform to all regulations, other than use restrictions, specified by this title; provided, that such building may be restored to a total floor area not exceeding that of the former building.
Abandonment. If the actual operation of a nonconforming use ceases for a continuous period of six months, the nonconforming use shall be considered abandoned unless the legal owner can establish valid proof to the contrary; then, without further action by the planning commission, the use of such land or building shall be subject to all the regulations specified by this title. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

15.06.020 Nonconforming Uses And Property¶

Except as otherwise provided in this title, a lot having an area, frontage, width or depth less than the minimum prescribed for the zone in which the lot is located, as depicted on a subdivision map duly approved and recorded prior to the adoption of this title, may be used for any use permitted in the zone, but shall be subject to all other standards for the zone in which the lot is located.
Lot Line Adjustments for nonconforming parcels

Any lot having an area, frontage, width or depth less than the minimum prescribed for the zone in which the lot is located, as depicted on a subdivision map duly approved and recorded prior to the adoption of this title, may be adjusted with another lot provided that the number of nonconforming lots is not increased. A reduction in size of a nonconforming parcel shall be allowed provided that said reduction meets the following:
1. The nonconforming lot area is not decreased by more than twenty percent (20%) in size.
2. The lot line adjustment will allow conformance with setback requirements for the zoning district.
3. The applicant is able to provide documentation showing that all lots involved were legally created. (Ord. 1268 § 4, 2018; Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →