This document shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Lockland Zoning Code" or "Zoning Code." The map that accompanies this zoning code, incorporated herein, and as may be amended from time to time and made part hereof, shall be referred to as the "Official Zoning Map."

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   This Zoning Code shall apply to all land, structures and uses with the corporate limits of the Village of Lockland.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   This Code is adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the Village of Lockland by the Ohio Revised Code for the following purposes:

   (a)   To implement the goals and policies of any development plans, land use plans or master plans adopted by the village;

   (b)   To maintain the Village of Lockland as a community comprised principally of single family residential neighborhoods and separately located commercial, institutional and recreational areas;

   (c)   Preserve local commercial areas to serve the residents of the village as well as industrial employees who enter and leave the village each day;

   (d)   To protect the public from harm from the loss of natural resources by encouraging and enhancing the preservation of natural resources, aesthetic amenities, and natural features;

   (e)   To establish a rational pattern of land uses and encourage the most appropriate use of individual parcels of land in the village;

   (f)   To encourage compatibility between different land uses and to protect the scale and character of existing development from the encroachment of incompatible uses;

   (g)   To secure adequate natural light, clean air, privacy, a safe environment, and convenience of access to property;

   (h)   To promote and protect the public health, safety, morals, and the general welfare of the village;

   (i)   To conserve and enhance the value of land and buildings;

   (j)   To help control congestion of traffic and to promote a safe, efficient traffic circulation system;

   (k)   To ensure that adequate off-street parking and loading facilities are provided and maintained for different types of land uses; and

   (l)   To facilitate the adequate and cost-effective provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks, open space and other public facilities requirements.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   (a)   No structure shall be located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted, or enlarged; nor shall any structure or land be used or be designed to be used, except in full compliance with all the provisions of the zoning code, when required, after the lawful issuance of the permit(s) required by this zoning code.

   (b)   Existing lots, buildings, structures and uses of land that do not conform with the regulations of this Zoning Code are subject to the regulations set forth in Chapter 1278, Nonconforming Uses and Structures.

   (c)   No lot, setback, parking area or other space shall be reduced in area or dimensions so as to make such area or dimension less than the minimum required by this Zoning Code, unless approved by the variance process.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   The interpretation and application of the provisions of this Zoning Code shall be held to be the minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, morals, prosperity, and general welfare. When the requirements of this Zoning Code conflict with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, or ordinances, the most restrictive or those imposing the higher standards shall govern.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   Should any chapter, section, division, subdivision, sentence or phrase of this Zoning Code be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, such a decision shall not affect the validity of this Zoning Code as a whole, or any other parts thereof, other than the part declared unconstitutional or invalid.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   Prior zoning codes in conflict with this Zoning Code or inconsistent with the provisions of this Zoning Code, are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this Zoning Code full force and effect.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   This Zoning Code shall be in full force and effect from and after the earliest period allowed by law.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)