Findlay City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1101
General
1101.01 AUTHORITY.
The City Council of the City of Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, pursuant to the authority conferred by Chapter 713 of the Ohio Revised Code, hereby provide as follows: ‘
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.02 PURPOSE.
This Ordinance is adopted for the purpose of promoting and protecting the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Findlay, by protecting and conserving the character, social, and economic stability of the residential, commercial, industrial, and other use areas; by securing the most appropriate use of land; by preventing overcrowding of the land and undue congestion of population; by providing adequate light, air and reasonable access; and by facilitating adequate and economical provision of transportation, water, sewers, schools, recreation and other public requirements, and by other means, all in accordance with the City of Findlay Land Use Plan.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.03 SCOPE.
The scope and purpose of this code is also to guide potentially contiguous development that will be under the city’s review according to the hard water ordinance and annexation agreements.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.04 VALIDITY.
This Ordinance shall become effective from and after the date of its approval and adoption as provided by law.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.05 INTERPRETATION OF STANDARDS.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Ordinance shall be held to be minimum requirements. Where this Ordinance imposes a greater restriction than is imposed or required by other provisions of law or by other rules or regulations, the provisions of this Ordinance shall take precedence.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.06 CONSTRUCTION OF LANGUAGE.
The following rules of construction apply to the text of the Ordinance:
(a) Particular vs General.
The particular shall control the general.
(b) Text vs Illustration.
In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Ordinance and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.
(c) “Shall”.
The word "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary.
(d) “May”.
The word "may" is permissive.
(e) Tense and Number.
Words used in the present tense shall include the future; the words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
(f) “Building” or “Structure”.
A "building" or "structure" includes any part thereof.
(g) “Used for”.
The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "maintained for," "designed for," "intended for," or "occupied for."
(h) “Person”.
The word "person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an incorporated association, or any other similar legal entity.
(i) “And”, “or”, “either…or”
Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, where a regulation involves two (2) or more items, conditions, provisions, or events connected by the conjunction "and," "or," "either ...or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:
(1) “And"
Indicates that all the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply.
(2) "Or"
Indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events may apply singly or in any combination.
(3) “Either...or"
Indicates that the connected items, conditions provisions, or events shall apply singly but not in combination.
(j) Undefined.
Terms not herein defined shall have the meaning customarily assigned to them.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.07 USES.
(a) Public Utilities. The location, erection, construction, change, alteration, maintenance, reconstruction, removal, use or enlargement of any building or structure of any public utility or railroad, whether publicly or privately owned, or the use of land by any public utility herein defined shall be permitted in all districts established by this Ordinance except in platted subdivisions with lots less than five (5) acres whether residential or commercial. A Compliance Certificate, but no fee therefore, shall be required for any building or structure or for the use of land essential to the operations of a public utility or railroad and such buildings, structures, or use shall comply with all requirements of this Ordinance.
(b) Essential Services. Essential services serving the City shall be permitted as authorized and regulated by law and other articles of this Ordinance.
*Examples include fire stations, police stations and or substations, utility lift stations, water
towers, etc. (Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.08 PROHIBITION.
No building or structure, or part thereof, shall hereafter be erected, constructed or altered and maintained, and no new use or change shall be made or maintained of any building, structure, or part thereof, except in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance. If any building, structure or use is not expressly permitted or conditionally permitted by this Ordinance, it is expressly prohibited. (Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)
1101.09 VOTING PLACE.
The provisions of this Ordinance shall not be so construed as to interfere with the temporary use of any property as a voting place in connection with a public election.
(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)