A.   Districts Established: Oxford is hereby divided into districts which shall be designated as follows:

 

(Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994; amd. Ord. 1995-95, 5-9-1995)

   B.   Official Zoning Map Adopted: The locations and boundaries of these districts are shown 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 title.

   C.   Signature; Seal: The 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 statement:

   D.   Map On File With Clerk: The official zoning map, or a true copy of the same, shall be on file in the office of the city clerk and shall be final authority as to the correct zoning status of the land, water areas, buildings, and other structures in the city. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)

   A.   Manner Of Making Changes: If in accordance with the provisions of section 10-3-5 of this title and Iowa Code section 414.4, 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 after the amendment has been approved by the city council, with an entry on the official zoning map as follows: "By official action of the City Council, the following changes were made on the Official Zoning Map", (indicating the changes by ordinance numbers and date of publication). No amendment of this title which involves matter portrayed on the official zoning map shall become effective until after such change and entry has been made on said map.

   B.   Replacement Of Map:

      1.   Corrections: 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 council may by ordinance 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 official zoning map or any subsequent amendment thereof. 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:

      2.   Prior Map Preserved: 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.

   C.   Unauthorized Changes Prohibited: Any unauthorized change, of any kind whatsoever, in the official zoning map by any person or persons, shall constitute a violation of this title and be punishable as provided in section 10-3-8 of this title. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)

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

   A.   Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerline 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 following corporate limits shall be construed as following corporate limits.

   D.   Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main right of way.

   E.   Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to follow such shorelines, and in the event of change in the shoreline shall be constructed to move with the actual shoreline; boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines.

   F.   Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections A through E of this section shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the official zoning map shall be determined by dimensions shown on the map, or in the absence of dimensions, by the scale of the map.

   G.   In the case of further uncertainty, and/or where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by subsections A through F of this section, the board of adjustment shall interpret the district boundaries. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)

   A.   Territorial Application: This title shall apply to all structures, land, and uses within the corporate limits of the city.

   B.   Conversion Of Use Or Building: The conversion of any use or building either to another use or to increase the size or area of the existing use, including the conversion of any building or the conversion of any dwelling to accommodate an increased number of dwelling units, families, or residents, shall be permitted only within a district in which a new building for similar occupancy would be permitted in this title and only when the resulting occupancy will comply with the requirements in such districts, with respect to minimum lot size, lot area per dwelling unit, dimension of yards, height, off street parking and any other applicable requirements.

   C.   General Prohibition: No building or structure; no use of any building, structure or land; and no lot of record or zoning lot, hereafter existing, shall be established, altered, moved, divided, or maintained in any manner except in accord with the provisions of this title. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)

All territory which may be annexed to the city after adoption of this title shall be classified according to the planning and zoning commission's recommendations prior to annexation and the territory, upon annexation, may be immediately so classified. Procedures for classification are established in section 10-3-5 of this title. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)

Whenever any street, alley, or other public way is vacated by official action of the city council, the district adjoining each side of such street, alley, or public way shall be automatically extended to the center of such vacation, and all area included in the vacation shall then and henceforth be subject to all appropriate regulation of the extended districts. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)