If a property ownership, whether it be a lot or more than one contiguous lot held in a single ownership at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title, has an area or dimension which does not meet the lot size requirements of the zone in which the property is located, the holdings may be occupied by a use permitted in the zone subject to the other requirements of the zone; provided, that if there is an area deficiency, residential use shall be limited to a single-family dwelling or to the number of dwelling units consistent with the density requirements of the zone. The record of ownership as recorded in the office of the county clerk at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title shall be the basis for application of this exception unless the owner submits proof that a different ownership existed at the time the provisions of the ordinance codified in this title became applicable to the land concerned.
(Ord. 514 § 11.13, 2001)