§ 24-103. Official zoning map.

(a)

Adopted. The zoning districts shall be shown on the official zoning map, which may consist of one or more pages, with all notations, references and other information shown thereon. The map shall be incorporated into this article, made a public record, and kept permanently in a place easily accessible to the public, in the office of the planning and zoning director. The official zoning map shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, buildings, and other structures in areas subject to this chapter.

(b)

Map amendment. If, by the provisions of this article, changes are made in the district boundaries or other information portrayed on the official zoning map, the changes shall be made on the map promptly after the amendment has been approved. Unauthorized alterations shall be considered a violation and subject to the penalties as described herein.

(c)

Replacement of official zoning map. In the event that the official zoning map becomes destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret, the county commission may in accordance with F.S. ch. 163 by ordinance adopt a new official zoning map which shall supersede the prior official zoning map.

(d)

Rules for interpretation of district boundaries.

(1)

Except as otherwise specifically provided, a district symbol or name shown within district boundaries on the official zoning map indicates that district regulations pertaining to the district extend throughout the area surrounded by the boundary line.

(2)

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the official zoning map, the following rules shall apply:

a.

Centerlines. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of dedicated streets, highways, alleys, or rights-of-way shall be construed as following such centerlines as they exist on the ground, except where variation of actual location from mapped location would change the zoning status of a lot or parcel, in which case the boundary shall be interpreted in a way that avoids changing the zoning status of any lot or parcel. In case of a street vacation, the boundary shall be construed as remaining in its location except where ownership of the vacated street is divided other than at its center, in which case the boundary shall be construed as moving with the ownership.

b.

Lot lines. Boundaries indicated as approximately following lot lines, public property lines and the like shall be construed as following such lines, provided, however, that where such boundaries are adjacent to a dedicated street, alley, highway or right-of-way and the zoning status of the street, highway, alley or right-of-way is not indicated, the boundaries shall be construed as running to the middle of the street, highway, alley or right-of-way. In the event of street vacation, interpretation shall be as provided in subsection (d)(1) of this section.

c.

Railroad tracks. Boundaries indicated as following railroad tracks shall be construed as being midway between the main tracks.

d.

Division of single ownership lot by district line. Where a district boundary line, as appearing on the official zoning map, divides a lot which is in single ownership at the time of this enactment, the use classification of a larger portion may be extended to the remainder by the director without recourse to the amendment procedure.

e.

Mean ordinary high water lines; centerlines of streams, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water. Boundaries indicated as following mean ordinary high water lines or centerlines of streams, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed as following such mean high water lines or centerlines. In case of a change in mean high water line, or of the course or extent of bodies of water, the boundaries shall be construed as moving with the change, except where such moving would change the zoning status of a lot or parcel, and in such case, the boundary shall be interpreted in such a manner as to avoid changing the zoning status of any lot or parcel.

f.

Body of water. Boundaries indicated as entering any body of water not continuing to intersection with other zoning boundaries or with the limits of jurisdiction of the board of county commissioners shall be construed as extending in the direction in which they enter the body of water to intersect with other zoning boundaries or with the limits of jurisdiction of the board of county commissioners.

g.

Boundaries parallel. Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections (d)(2)a. through f. of this section shall be construed as being parallel to or extensions of such features.

h.

Measurement of district boundaries. Distances not specifically indicated on the official zoning map shall be determined by the scale of the map showing the property in question.

i.

Other situations. In case the exact location of a boundary cannot be determined by the foregoing methods, the board of county commissioners shall, upon application, determine the location of the boundary.

(e)

Cases not covered by subsection (d)(2) of this section. In cases not covered by subsection (d) of this section, the planning and zoning director shall interpret the official zoning map in accordance with the intent and purpose of this chapter. Appeal from the interpretation of the planning and zoning director shall be to the land planning agency in conformity with section 24-457. If the exact location of a boundary cannot be determined by the foregoing methods, the board of county commissioners shall, upon application, determine the location of the boundary.

(LDR 2014, §§ 1.02.04, 3.04.01—3.04.05; Ord. No. 2013-04, § 1, 7-15-2014)