Section 90.80  Non-Conforming Structures or Uses or Growth Abandoned or Destroyed

Whenever the Department determines that a non-conforming structure or use or growth has been abandoned or more than 80 per cent demolished, destroyed, physically deteriorated or decayed:

a)         No permit shall be granted by the Department that will allow such structure or use or growth to exceed the applicable height limit or otherwise deviate from these zoning regulations; and

b)         Whether application is made for a permit, or not, the Department may issue an order, in cases where the remaining structure or use or growth constitutes a violation of these zoning regulations, compelling the owner of the non-conforming structure or use or growth, at his own expense, to lower, remove, reconstruct, or equip such structure or use of growth as may be necessary to conform to these zoning regulations.  If the owner of the non-conforming structure or use or growth shall neglect or refuse to comply with such order within ten (10) days after notice thereof; the Department may proceed to have such structure or use or growth so lowered, removed, reconstructed or equipped and shall have a lien, on behalf of the State, upon the land whereon it is or was located, in the amount of the cost and expense thereof.  Such lien may be enforced by the Department on behalf of the State by suit in equity for the enforcement thereof as in the case of other liens.