Article 3 Continuation and Change in Use

The lawful occupancy and use of any building, including the use of any service equipment therein, existing on the effective date of this code or thereafter constructed or installed in accordance with prior code requirements, as provided in section 27-105 of article one of this subchapter, may be continued unless a retroactive change is specifically required by the provisions of this code.

Changes in the occupancy or use of any building may be made after the effective date of this code, subject to the provisions of section 27-217 of article twenty-two of this subchapter. After a change in occupancy or use has been made in a building, the re-establishment of a prior occupancy or use that would not be lawful in a new building of the same construction class shall be prohibited unless and until all the applicable provisions of this code and other applicable laws and regulations for such re-established occupancy or use shall have been complied with. A change from a use prohibited by the provisions of this code, but which was permitted prior to the effective date of this code, to another use prohibited by the provisions of this code shall be deemed a violation of this code.

The continuation of the unlawful occupancy or use of a building after the effective date of this code, contrary to the provisions of this code, shall be deemed a violation of this code.