The districts established in § 515-4 shall be graphically portrayed on the Official Zoning Map which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.[1]

The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the following: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in § 515-5 of the Village of New Haven Zoning Ordinance adopted on January 12, 1999," along with the certification and signature of the Village Clerk.

If, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, 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 with the effective dates of the changes. 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 chapter. Any unauthorized change shall be considered a violation of this chapter.

The Official Zoning Map, and all files and records regarding amendments thereto, shall be located in the Office of the Village Clerk. The Official Zoning Map shall be the final authority regarding the current zoning status of all land, water, buildings and other structures or improvements in the Village, regardless of the existence of purported copies of the Zoning Map which may from time to time be made or published.

In the event that the Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret due to changes, the Village Council may by resolution adopt a new Official Zoning Map, which shall supersede the prior Official Zoning Map. The new Official Zoning Map may also correct drafting or other errors or omissions in the prior Official Zoning Map, but no such correction shall have the effect of amending the original Official Zoning Map or any subsequent amendment thereof.

The new Official Zoning Map shall be certified and signed by the Village Clerk as follows: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in § 515-5 of the Village of New Haven Zoning Ordinance. This Official Zoning Map supersedes and replaces the previously adopted Official Zoning Map of the Village of New Haven." Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost or totally destroyed, the entire map or any significant portions thereof shall be preserved, together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.

No building, structure, lot or parcel shall be used, occupied or altered and no building, structure or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered except in conformance with all of the regulations specified in this chapter for the district in which it is located.

No building or other structure shall be erected or altered:

No part of a yard, other open space, off-street parking or loading area required to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be included as part of the same requirements for another building unless expressly permitted.

No yard area existing at the effective date of this chapter shall be altered in any way except in conformance with the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yard areas created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.

No lot or parcel existing at the effective date of this chapter shall be altered in any way except in conformance with the requirements set forth herein. Lots or parcels created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following Village boundaries shall be construed as following such boundaries.

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

Boundaries indicated as approximately following shorelines shall be construed as following such shorelines. In the event a shoreline changes, the boundaries shall be construed as also changing with the actual shoreline. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center line of streams, rivers, drains, canals and other bodies of water shall be construed as following such center lines.

Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in Subsections A through E above shall be so construed. Distances not specified on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the Map.

Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map, or in other instances not addressed by Subsections A through F, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall interpret district boundaries.