The districts established in Article VII of this code are shown on the Official Zoning Map which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted as part of this code.

(Res. 669-94-72, § 601, effective 4-5-1995)

   A.   The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the President of the Board of County Commissioners attested by the County Clerk, and bearing the seal of the county and the following words: “This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in § 601 of the Zoning Resolution of Preble County, Ohio”, together with the date of the adoption of this code.

   B.   If, in accordance with the provisions of this code and R.C. Chapter 303, changes are made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the Official Zoning Map, such changes shall be entered on the Official Zoning Map promptly after the effective date of the amendment approved by the Board of County Commissioners, with an entry on the Official Zoning Map including the amending resolution number, the date of passage of the resolution, and the initials of the County Clerk.

   C.   No changes of any nature shall be made in the Official Zoning Map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this code. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this code and punishable as provided under the provisions of this code.

   D.   Regardless of the existence of projected copies of the Official Zoning Map which may from time to time be made or published, the Official Zoning Map which shall be located in the office of Building Regulations shall be the final authority as to the amount of zoning status of land and water area, buildings, and other structures in the county.

(Res. 669-94-72, § 602, effective 4-5-1995) Penalty, see § 511

   A.   Where an amendment to the Official Zoning Map is accompanied by a legal description of the zoning boundary, that legal description shall be interpreted as the zoning boundary line, regardless of the accuracy of the zoning boundary line drawn on the Official Zoning Map.

   B.   Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:

      1.   Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerline of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerline;

      2.   Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted or deeded lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines;

      3.   Boundaries indicated as approximately following municipal limits shall be construed as following such municipal limits;

      4.   Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks;

      5.   Boundaries indicated as following shore lines shall be construed to follow such shore lines, and in the event of change in the shore line shall be construed as moving with the actual shore line; boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerline of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerline;

      6.   Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections B.1 through B.5 above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map;

      7.   Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map, or in other circumstances not covered by subsections B.1 through B.6 above, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall interpret the district boundaries; and

      8.   Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of this code, the Board of Zoning Appeals may permit, as a variance, the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot not to exceed fifty (50) feet beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.

(Res. 669-94-72, § 603, effective 4-5-1995)