§ 5. PRESERVING RIGHTS IN PENDING LITIGATION AND VIOLATIONS UNDER EXISTING ORDINANCES

By the passage of this [Unified Development Code], no presently illegal use shall be deemed to have been legalized unless such use falls specifically within a use district where the actual use is a conforming use. Otherwise, such uses shall remain nonconforming uses where recognized, or an illegal use, as the case may be. It is further the intent and declared purpose of this [Unified Development Code] that no offense committed, and no liability, penalty, or forfeiture, either civil or criminal, shall be discharged or affected by the adoption of this [Unified Development Code]; but prosecution and suits for such offenses, liabilities, penalties, or forfeitures may be instituted, or causes presently pending be proceeded with, in all respects as if such prior ordinance had not been repealed.