For the purposes of this ordinance, Metter, Georgia, is hereby divided into districts as shown on the official zoning map dated August 11, 1996 as certified by the planning commission to the city council. Said map is hereby made a part of this ordinance, made a public record, and shall be kept permanently in the office of the building inspector, where said map will be accessible to the general public.

If, in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, changes are made in the district boundaries or other information portrayed in the official zoning map, changes shall be made effective immediately after the amendment has been approved by the city council of Metter. A numerical entry shall be made by the city clerk on the official zoning map referring to the application on file which states the date of the official action and description of the nature of the changes approved by city council. No changes of any nature shall be made on the official zoning map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this ordinance. Any unauthorized change of any kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this ordinance and is punishable as provided by law.

Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the official zoning map, which may from time to time be made or published, the official zoning map located in the office of the building inspector shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land in the city.

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

3.021. Unless otherwise indicated, the district boundary lines are center lines of streets or blocks or such lines extended, lot or property lines, corporate limit lines, the center line of the main tracks of a railroad, a line lying in the center of a stream or drainage way, or city limits.

3.022. Where district boundary lines parallel street rights-of-way or other discernible cultural or topographical features, the distance shall be scaled from the map.

3.023. Where a district boundary line divides a lot, which is a single ownership at the time of this enactment, the use classification of the larger portion may be extended to the remainder without recourse to amendment procedure except that such extension shall not include any part of a lot that lies more than twenty-five (25) feet beyond the district boundary line.

3.024. In case the exact location of a boundary cannot be determined by the foregoing methods, the city council shall, upon application, determine the location of the boundary.

3.025. Where a public road, street, alley, or other right-of-way is officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to the property to which it is reverted shall apply to such vacated or abandoned road, street, alley, or right-of-way.