§ 58-77. Plan and resolution.

The board of commissioners may exercise the powers set forth in section 58-76 of this article and, for the purposes therein mentioned, may divide unincorporated Fulton County into districts of any number, shape, and size as it may determine; and within these districts it may regulate the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, and use of buildings and structures and the use of land. The lawful use of any land, building, or structure that was existing and lawful at the time of the enactment or amendment of zoning regulations may, except as hereinafter provided, be continued although such does not conform with the provisions of such regulations or amendments (hereinafter called nonconforming use). The board of commissioners may provide in the zoning resolution for the continuance, restoration, reconstruction, extension, or substitution of a nonconforming use. The board of commissioners may also provide for the termination of any use of a building or structure or land that is not in conformity with the regulations of the district within which it is located either by specifying the period or periods in which the nonconforming use shall be required to cease, or by providing a formula or formulas whereby the compulsory termination of a nonconforming use may be so fixed as to allow for the recovery or amortization of the investment in such nonconforming use.

(Code 1983, § 28-1-22; Res. No. 01-0597, § 9, 6-20-01)