Findlay City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1119

Establishment of Districts

1119.01 DISTRICTS.

The City is hereby divided into the following Districts known as:

(a) “A-1” Agricultural. Allow for agricultural uses in the City of Findlay.

(b) "R-1" Single-Family Low Density Residential District. Area restricted primarily to low density residential development.

(c) "R-2" Single-Family Medium Density Residential District. Area restricted primarily to medium density residential development.

(d) "R-3" Single-Family High Density Residential District. Area restricted primarily to high density residential development on lots. This zoning district is designed to accommodate the many smaller, older lots within the City of Findlay.

(e) “R-4” Duplex/Triplex High Density Residential District. Area providing for high density residential development, including single family and two-family residential units.

(f) "M-1" Multiple-Family District. Area restricted primarily to multiple dwelling units with low density on single lots.

(g) "M-2" Multiple-Family District. Area restricted primarily to multiple dwelling units with high density on single lots.

(h) “CD" Condominium District. District for the development of residential condominiums.

(i) "MH" Mobile Home District. Areas designed for mobile home parks.

(j) "O-1" Institutions and Offices District. Area restricted primarily to office uses, both single building and campus type.

(k) "C-1" Local Commercial District. Area designated for businesses of more local target market and under 15,000 square feet in building footprint.

(l) "C-2" General Commercial District. Area designated for businesses of more regional target market and over 15,000 square feet in building footprint.

(m) "C-3" Downtown Commercial District. Area designated to represent the downtown business district

(n) "I-1" Light Industrial District. Area designed primarily for light industry and wholesaling.

(o) "I-2" General Industrial District. Area designed for heavy industry, including food processing.

(p) “I-3” Large Scale Industrial. The I-3 Large Scale Industrial Districts are designed to allow for maximum flexibility.

(q) “PO” Park and Open Space District. Special purpose district designed to preserve and enhance open space and recreational areas whether public or private.

(r) “PUD” Planned Unit Development. Allows for the creation of a PUD zoning classification.

(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)

1119.02 OVERLAY DISTRICTS.

The City’s zoning districts may be further defined through restrictions imposed by one or more of the following Overlay Districts:

(a) “MOD” Medical Overlay District. The Medical Overlay District promotes medical and related uses associated with a primary care point such as a hospital. The district allows for a mix of uses supporting the primary care point while protecting the property in the vicinity from more intrusive uses allowable in other use districts.

(b) “ROD” Riparian Overlay District. Setbacks along watercourses, including rivers, streams, major and minor tributaries to serve as buffer areas. The District is prepared and adopted in preparation of the Flood Mitigation effort underway to minimize or reduce flooding of the Blanchard River and its tributaries. Once the mitigation effort is complete, the overlay district shall be designated on the zoning map. One example would be seventy-five feet (75’) setbacks both sides of the Blanchard River and twenty-five feet (25’) both sides of Eagle Creek.

(c) “UOD” University Overlay District. The University Overlay District promotes educational and related uses associated with secondary education institutions such as a university or community college. The Overlay District permits educational institutions and their accessory uses, as well as a variety of local commercial uses typically associated with and nearby a university or college, to enhance the campus existence but protect the area from more intrusive uses allowable in commercial districts. (Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)

1119.03 ZONING DISTRICT MAP.

The boundaries of zoning districts are shown upon the Zoning District Map which is made a part of this Zoning Ordinance, which is designated as the "Zoning District Map." The Zoning District Map and all notations, references and other information shown thereon are a part of this Ordinance and have the same force and effect as if the Zoning District Map and all the notations, references and other information shown thereon were fully set forth or described herein, of which the original Zoning District Map is properly attested and is on file with the City Council.

(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)

1119.04 RESPECT TO OTHER LOCAL REGULATIONS.

The intent of this Zoning Ordinance is to coordinate, cross reference, and respect other local government regulations where they apply in specific instances as much as possible. The various regulations incorporated by reference herein include but may not be limited to:

(a) Findlay Municipal Code Chapter 1351 “Flood Damage Reduction Ordinance” Restricts or prohibits certain land uses within the 100-year flood plain as defined by the Flood Hazard Boundary Map issued by the Federal Emergency Management Administration for the City of Findlay.

(b) Findlay Municipal Code Chapter 1105 Subdivision Rules and Regulations Establishes requirements for creating lots, or parcels and establishing the review and decision-making process.

(c) Hancock County Access Management Regulations. Establishes policies for the unincorporated area of Hancock County to allow access onto county and township roadways. A county roadway classification system is identified along with related distance requirements between access points.

(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)

1119.05 INTERPRETATION OF DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.

Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of the various districts as shown on the Zoning District Map, the following rules shall apply:

(a) Roadways. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerlines.

(b) Lot Lines. Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.

(c) Municipal Limits. Boundaries indicated as approximately following municipal limits shall be construed as following municipal limits.

(d) Railroads. Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be located in the centerline or the midway (if multiple) between the main tracks.

(e) Shorelines. Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to follow the centerline of streams, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines and in the event of a natural change in the watercourse way shall be construed to follow such centerlines.

(f) Map Interpretations. Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections (a) through (e) above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the official Zoning District Map shall be determined by the scale of the Map.

(g) Interpretations and Discrepancies. Where physical or natural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the official Zoning District Map, or in other circumstances not covered by subsections (a) through (f) above, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall interpret the District boundaries.

(h) Extend to Centerlines. Insofar as some or all of the various Districts may be indicated on the Zoning District Map by patterns which, for the sake of map clarity, do not cover public rights-of-way, it is intended that such District boundaries do extend to the center of any public right-of-way.

(Ord. 2023-115. Passed 12-19-23.)

1119.06 ZONING OF VACATED AREAS.

Whenever any street, alley or other public way within the incorporated area of the City of Findlay shall be vacated, such street, alley or other public way or portion thereof shall automatically be classified in the same Zoning District as the property to which it attaches.