This section shall be known as the "Zoning Section," and the map herein referred to, which is identified by the title "Official Zoning Map," shall be known as the "Zoning Map."

A.

Purpose and Intent.

The zoning regulations for Ocoee are declared to be necessary to promote the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Ocoee by dividing the City into zones regulating therein the use of land and the use and size of buildings as to height and the number of stories, the coverage of land by buildings, the size of yards and open spaces, the location of buildings and the density of population in accordance with the City of Ocoee's Comprehensive Plan.

This Code is designed to lessen congestion in the streets; secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; provide adequate light and air; prevent the overcrowding of land; avoid undue concentration of population; facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements. They have been made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the community.

B.

Interpretation.

The zoning regulations are not intended to interfere with, abrogate or annul any lawful easements, covenants or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this Code imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or premises than are imposed or required by other resolutions, rules, regulations or by lawful easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this Code shall prevail.

C.

Rules for Interpretation of District Boundaries.

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 center lines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines.

(2)

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

(3)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following City limits shall be construed as following City limits.

(4)

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

(5)

Boundaries indicated as following center lines of watercourses shall be construed as following such center lines. Boundaries indicated as following the lake shore shall be construed as following the lake shore, and in the event of development of lands extending into the lake such boundaries shall be construed as moving with the lake shore so that new lands created in the lake shall be zoned in the same manner as adjacent uplands which were previously at the lake shore.

(6)

Boundaries indicated as being parallel to or extensions of features indicated in items (1) through (4) above, or parallel to center lines of watercourses, shall be construed as being in fact parallel to or extensions of such features, and if distances involved are not specifically indicated on the Zoning Map, such distances shall be determined by the scale of the Zoning Map.

(7)

Where the street or property layout existing on the ground is not in agreement with that shown on the Official Zoning Map, or in other circumstances not covered by the rules above, the City Commission shall interpret the district boundaries.

D.

Interpretation of Zoning District Boundaries.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of this Code, permission may be given as a special exception by the City Commission to extend 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.

E.

Application.

(1)

General. Except as hereinafter provided:

(a)

No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered, unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.

(b)

No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered:

1.

To exceed the height;

2.

To accommodate or house a greater number of families;

3.

To occupy a greater percentage of lot area; or

4.

To have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces than herein required; or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this Code.

(c)

No part of a yard or other open space or off-street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this Code shall be included as part of a yard, open space or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building except as provided herein.

(d)

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this Zoning Code shall be reduced in size or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this Code shall meet at least the minimum requirements established herein.

(e)

Within each district, the regulations set by this Code shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land.

F.

Territorial Limits.

This Code shall apply to all land within the corporate limits of the City of Ocoee and all land hereafter annexed into the City of Ocoee.

G.

Official Zoning Map.

The City of Ocoee is hereby divided into zoning districts as shown on the Zoning Map which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Code.

The Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk, and bearing the seal of the City of Ocoee under the following words: "This is to certify that this is the Zoning Map referred to in Chapter III of Ordinance Number 516 of the City of Ocoee, Florida," with the date of adoption of this Code.

If, in accordance with the provisions of this Code, changes are made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the Zoning Map, said changes shall be made on the Zoning Map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the City Commission, together with an entry on the Zoning Map as follows: "On _______ (date), by official action of the City Commission, the following changes were made to the Zoning Map: (brief description of the nature of the change)," which entry shall be signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk. No amendment to this Code which involves matters portrayed on the Zoning Map shall become effective until after such change and entry have been made on said map.

No changes of any nature shall be made to the 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 to be a violation of this Code.

Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the Zoning Map which may from time to time be made or published, the Official Zoning Map kept in the office of the City Clerk shall be the final authority as to current zoning status of lands, buildings and other structures in the City of Ocoee.

H.

Replacement of the Official Zoning Map.

In the event that the Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret because of the nature or number of changes and additions, the City Commission may by resolution adopt a new Official Zoning Map which shall supersede the prior Official Zoning Map.

The new Official Zoning Map may 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 Zoning Map. The new Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and bearing the seal of the City under the following words: "This is to certify that this Official Zoning Map supersedes and replaces the Official Zoning Map adopted by the City of Ocoee."

Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost, or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any significant parts thereof remaining shall be preserved, together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.