Okanogan City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
12 INTERPRETATION
§ 18.12.010 Interpretation generally.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, the provisions shall be held to be minimum requirements adopted for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare. Except as specifically provided in this title, it is not intended by this title to repeal, abrogate, annul or in anyway impair or interfere with any existing provisions of law, ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule or permit previously adopted or issued except those this title is intended to replace, or which shall be adopted or issued pursuant to law, relating to the use of buildings or land or relating to the erection, construction, establishment, moving, alteration or enlargement of any building or improvement; nor is it intended to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between parties; provided, that whenever this title imposes greater restrictions upon the erection, construction, establishment, moving, alteration or enlargement of buildings, or the use of any building, or of any of the districts established by this title, than are imposed or required by such existing provisions of law or regulation, rule or permit, or easement, covenant or agreement, then the provisions of this title shall apply.
(Ord. 660 § 58.00, 1985)
§ 18.12.020 Construction.
The provisions of this title shall be liberally construed to further its purposes and in the event controversy as to the meaning of a particular provision of this title arises, such provision shall be construed liberally in the favor of the general public interest.
(Ord. 660 § 58.01, 1985)
§ 18.12.030 Restrictions covering same subject matter.
Whenever a provision of this title or any other law, rule, contract, resolution or regulation of the state or federal government or of the city, of any kind, contains restrictions covering the same subject matter, the more restrictive requirement or the higher standard shall govern.
(Ord. 660 § 58.02, 1985)
§ 18.12.040 Tenses – Number – "Shall" to be construed as mandatory.
As found in this title, words used in the present tense shall include the future tense, and the singular numbers shall include the plural and the plural the singular; the word "shall" is mandatory.
(Ord. 660 § 58.03, 1985)
§ 18.12.050 Reference to provisions includes amendments.
Reference to any existing provisions of law includes reference to any amendments to such provision that may occur subsequent to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title.
(Ord. 660 § 58.04, 1985)
§ 18.12.060 Zoning map boundaries – Rules governing.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the official zoning map, the following rules apply:
A.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerlines;
B.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines;
C.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following the city limits;
D.
Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between main tracks;
E.
Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to follow such shorelines and in the event of change in the shoreline shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline;
F.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines;
H.
Where physical features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by the above subsections of this section, the planning commission shall interpret the boundaries.
(Ord. 660 § 58.05, 1985)