This Code shall hereinafter be known and cited as “The City of Reynoldsburg Zoning Code,” and hereinafter referred to as the/this “Code” or “these regulations.”

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   In adopting this Code, Council has given reasonable consideration to, among other things:

   (a)   The comprehensive plan;

   (b)   Current conditions and the character of current structures and uses in each district;

   (c)   The most desirable use for which the land in each district is adapted;

   (d)   The conservation of property values throughout the City of Reynoldsburg; and,

   (e)   Responsible development and growth of the City of Reynoldsburg and hereby adopts this Code for the following purposes:

      (1)   To promote the achievement of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the City;

      (2)   To advance the position of the City as a center of commerce, industry, recreation and culture;

      (3)   To provide for desirable, appropriately located living areas in a variety of dwelling types and at a suitable range of population densities, with adequate provision for sunlight, fresh air and usable open space;

      (4)   To protect residential, commercial, industrial and civic areas from the intrusions of incompatible uses, and to provide opportunities for establishments to concentrate for efficient operation in mutually beneficial relationship to each other and to share services;

      (5)   To ensure preservation of adequate space for commercial, industrial and other activities necessary for a healthy economy;

      (6)   To promote safe, fast and efficient movement of people and goods without sacrifice to the quality of the City’s environment and to provide adequate off-street parking;

      (7)   To stabilize expectations regarding future development of the City, thereby providing a basis for wise decisions with respect to such development;

      (8)   To preserve and enhance the quality of the City’s environment;

      (9)   To provide for effective signage that is compatible with the surrounding urban environment; and

      (10)   To maintain the safety and potability of public water supplies located within the City.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   (a)   In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Code shall be held to be minimum requirements (unless a maximum standard is established) adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity or general welfare. Wherever the requirements of the Code are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, codes, deed restrictions or covenants, the provisions of this Code shall control.

   (b)   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 altered except in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the zone or district in which it is located.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   (a)   The following zones and districts are hereby established for the corporate limits of the City of Reynoldsburg, and land within said areas shall be designated on the Zoning Map by the following symbols:

 

   (b)   The planned development districts (PNDD and PCDD) are no longer included in the zoning districts applicable to this Code. No new projects or developments shall use the planned development district. All projects previously designated PNDD or PCDD shall be assigned a different zoning district with the adoption of this Code; provided, however, they may continue to function under the established PNDD or PCDD regulations previously adopted and specific to that development. Any project within the same geographic boundaries of the existing planned development may be redeveloped under the same provisions that were previously adopted. An owner of property greater than two acres in total area, with the approval of the Planning and Zoning Administrator, may instead select to designate the existing planned development into applicable zoning districts that most closely relate to the existing uses and building form.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

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

   (b)   The Zoning Map shall be located in the office of the Director of Development of the City of Reynoldsburg, maintained on file in the office of the Clerk of Council, and on the City’s official website, and this map shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, building, and other structures in the City.

   (c)   No changes of any nature shall be made in the Zoning Map or matter shown thereon except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Title Eleven of this Code. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this Code and punishable as provided under this Code.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   (a)   The following rules shall apply to the interpretation of district and zone boundaries on the Zoning Map:

      (1)   Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerlines;

      (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 such City limits;

      (4)   Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks;

      (5)   Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed as moving 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; and

      (6)   Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features listed above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map.

   (b)   Lots Divided by District Boundaries. Where a district boundary line divides a lot that was in single ownership at the time of passage of this Code, the Planning Commission may permit the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

      (1)   Building height is measured as the distance between a horizontal line at the average existing predevelopment grade of the lot directly beside the structure, and the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the top of a mansard roof, the midpoint of any pitched gable, hip or the upper portion of a gambrel roof, or measured between the top floor ceiling and the peak of the roof on an “A” framed structure. Chimneys, elevators, poles, spires, tanks, towers, and other projections not used for human occupancy are not included in calculating height and may extend above the height limit.

      (1)   The front street setback is measured at a right angle from the right-of-way line.

      (2)   Where a lot extends through the block from street to street, the required front yard must be provided along each street.

      (3)   The side street setback is measured at a right angle from the side street right-of-way line.

      (4)   The rear setback is measured at a right angle from the rear lot line or the rear right-of-way or easement line where there is an alley. The rear lot line is the lot line opposite to the front street lot line. Where there is more than one (1) front street, the Planning and Zoning Administrator will determine the rear lot line.

      (5)   All lot lines which do not front a street, side street or rear lot lines are considered side interior lot lines.

      (6)   For the purpose of measuring setbacks, side interior setbacks are measured at a right angle from the side lot line.

      (1)   Fences and walls may encroach into a required setback.

      (2)   Sidewalks and driveways may encroach into a required setback.

      (3)   A required buffer yard may encroach into a required setback.

      (4)   Landscaping may encroach into a required setback.

      (5)   Building eaves, roof overhangs, gutters, downspouts, light shelves, bay windows and oriels less than ten (10) feet wide, chimneys, flues, cornices, belt courses, sills, buttresses or other similar architectural features may encroach up to three (3) feet into a required setback, provided that such extension is at least two (2) feet from the vertical plane of any lot line.

      (6)   Unenclosed patios, decks, terraces or porte cochere may encroach into a side interior or rear setback, provided that such extension is at least three (3) feet from the vertical plane of any lot line.

      (7)   An awning, canopy or gallery may encroach into a front or side street setback provided that such extension is at least one (1) foot from the vertical plane of any lot line.

      (8)   Front porches may encroach into a front setback provided that such encroachment is no greater than six (6) feet from the front building facade, and no closer than ten (10) feet from the vertical plane of any lot line.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3- 23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   (a)   Whenever a defined word appears in the Code, its meaning is as set forth in this article. Words not defined in this Code are interpreted in accordance with their usual dictionary meaning and customary usage.

   (b)   All references to other regulations or manuals in this Code refer to the most current version and citation for those regulations or manuals, unless expressly indicated otherwise. When the referenced regulations or documents have been repealed and not replaced by other regulations or manuals, Code requirements for compliance are no longer in effect.

   (c)   Illustrations, diagrams, and flowcharts are included in this Code to illustrate the intent and requirements of the text. In the case of a conflict between the text and any illustration, diagram, or flowchart, the text controls.

   (d)   Except as otherwise noted, any fraction greater than or equal to 0.5 will be rounded up to the nearest whole number. Any fraction less than 0.5 will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

   (e)   The language of this Code shall be interpreted in accordance with the following regulations:

      (1)   The word “person” includes a firm, association, organization, partnership, trust, limited liability company, corporation, or other legal entity, as well as an individual.

      (2)   The present tense includes the future tense, the singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular, in each case, if the context so requires.

      (3)   The word “shall” is mandatory, the word “may” is permissive.

      (4)   The words “used” or “occupied” include the words “intended,” “designed,” “constructed,” “altered,” or “arranged” to be used or occupied.

      (5)   The word “lot” includes the words “plot,” “tract,” or “parcel.”

      (6)   The terms “standards,” “regulations,” and “requirements” are used to mandate a specific course of action or built outcome.

      (7)   Section headings are provided for ease of use and organization and shall not be interpreted as regulatory.

      (8)   Where a regulation involves two or more items, conditions, provisions, or events connected by the conjunction “and,” “either ... or,” the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

         A.   “And” indicates that all the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply.

         B.   “Or” indicates that the connected items, conditions, provisions or events may apply singly or in any combination.

         C.   “Either ... or” indicates that all the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply singly but not in combination.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26- 21.)

   In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Code shall be held to be minimum requirements (unless a maximum requirement is expressly provided) adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. Wherever the requirements of this Code are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, codes, deed restrictions, or covenants, the most restrictive or that imposing the higher standards shall govern. Wherever special or unusual conditions or circumstances exist, or wherever there is an apparent safety hazard, the Planning Commission may prescribe additional requirements in order to promote and protect the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the City. The regulations contained in each district or zone herein shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, except as hereinafter provided.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   (a)   When a lot developed with an agricultural use or one (1) single-family dwelling is annexed into the City, it shall be classified as SR-Suburban Residential zone upon passage of the ordinance accepting the annexation.

   (b)   Any land within the City not designated or otherwise included within another zoning district shall be included in the SR-Suburban Residential zone.

   (c)   When a lot owned by any public authority is annexed into the City via annexation, it shall be classified as an OS-Open Space/Schools zone upon adoption of the ordinance accepting the annexation.

   (d)   Except for land annexed in accordance with division (a) above, annexed land may be incorporated into one (1) or more zoning districts provided the applicant files a development plan satisfying the requirements of Section 1109.23 that depicts the proposed zoning classification(s) for the annexed land.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   The provisions of this Code are not intended to nullify, abolish or repeal any easement, covenant or other private agreement or restriction.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between two (2) or more provisions of this Code (e.g., the restrictions set forth in an overlay district versus the restrictions set forth in a base district) or any other City ordinance, the provision which imposes the greater or higher or more restrictive standard shall control.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   It is recognized that this Code may require interpretation to assign all possible uses to individual zones or districts. Therefore, any use which is not specifically set forth in this Code shall be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Administrator for consistency with the intent set forth in each district and for compatibility with use characteristics typical of uses permitted within those zones or districts. Based upon this review, the Director of Development shall determine the appropriate district or zone for any use which is not specifically set forth herein. In case of disagreement with the determination of the Director of Development in assigning a use to an appropriate district or zone, any aggrieved party may file an appeal with the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

   Except as shall be expressly provided for in this Code, the adoption of this Code shall not:

   (a)   Nullify or make void any action pending under, or by virtue of, any prior zoning code or subdivision code;

   (b)   Discontinue, nullify, void, abate, modify or alter any penalty accruing or about to accrue under, or by virtue of, any prior zoning code or subdivision code;

   (c)   Affect the liability of any person, firm, or corporation under, or by virtue of, any prior zoning code or subdivision code;

   (d)   Waive any right of the City under any section or provision of any prior zoning code or subdivision code; or,

   (e)   Vacate or annul any rights obtained by any person, firm, or corporation by lawful action of the City under, or by virtue of, any prior zoning code or subdivision code.

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)

(Ord. 33-2020. Passed 3-23-20; Ord. 103-2021. Passed 7-26-21.)