City of Monmouth

The term “grandfathered” is used in relationship to complying with the code under which the property was built or modified. To answer the question, yes, if a building does not change in use or classification the existing building can normally remain as is. For example, if a building housing a business occupancy changes owners but does not change occupancy use, little if any code upgrades are necessary. An insurance office changing owners and becoming a legal office presents no significant change in use. However, an insurance office on the first floor with open space on the second floor and the owner wanting to use the first floor as a legal office and the second floor as an apartment is a change in use that can trigger code upgrades due to the second floor change of use, regardless of any ownership change.