In order to regulate and limit the height and size of buildings; to regulate and limit the intensity of the use of lot areas; to regulate and determine the area of open spaces within the surrounding buildings; to classify, regulate and restrict the location of trades and industries, and the location of buildings designed for specified industrial, business, residential and other uses; the city is hereby divided into the following districts:

R-1 Single-family residential district

R-2 Single-family residential district

R-3 Two family/multi-family residential district

R-4 Manufactured home district

O-1 Office district

C-1 Sidewalk commercial district

C-2 General commercial district

C-3 Downtown commercial district

I-1 Industrial district

A-1 Agriculture

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

The boundaries of all districts, as shown upon the official zoning map, are hereby adopted, established and declared to be in effect upon all land included within the boundaries of each district shown upon the official zoning map.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

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

(a)

Where such district boundaries are indicated as approximately following street lines, alley lines or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

(b)

In unsubdivided property or where a district boundary divides a lot, the location of such boundary, unless the same is indicated by dimensions, shall be determined by the use of the scale appearing on the original map.

(c)

In case any further uncertainty exists, the governing body shall interpret the intent of the map as to the location of such boundaries.

(d)

Where any street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to each parcel of abutting property shall apply to that portion of such street or alley added thereto by virtue of such vacation or abandonment.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

The zoning map on file in the Office of the City Manager of Ringgold, the Ringgold Sign Ordinance, the historic preservation ordinance, the flood damage prevention ordinance and the zoning procedures and standards ordinance, each as amended, are hereby incorporated and applicable to this ordinance as set out at length herein.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

Editor's note— The zoning procedures and standards ordinance referenced has not been set out, but is available for review in the office of the city clerk.

A copy of the original zoning map shall be framed and placed at some conspicuous place in the city hall, so as to be subject to inspection at any time during regular office hours by any interested person.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

All lands proposed for annexation to the corporate limits of the City of Ringgold shall be processed in compliance with the Ringgold Zoning Procedures and Standards Ordinance, as amended, in addition to any other applicable laws of Georgia.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

Editor's note— The zoning procedures and standards ordinance referenced has not been set out, but is available for review in the office of the city clerk.

(a)

Land.

(1)

The lawful use of land existing at the time of the enactment of the ordinance from which this section is derived, although such use does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, may be continued; provided, that no such nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased, nor shall any nonconforming use be extended to occupy a greater area of land than that occupied by such use at the time of such enactment.

(2)

If such nonconforming use shall be discontinued for a continuous period of 90 days, any future use of such land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

(b)

Buildings.

(1)

The lawful use of a building or structure existing at the time of the enactment of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived may be continued, although such does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.

(2)

Such use may be extended throughout the building, provided no structural alterations, except those required by law or ordinances, or ordered by an authorized officer to assure the safety of the building, are made therein.

(3)

No such use shall be extended to occupy any land outside such building.

(4)

If such nonconforming building is removed or the nonconforming use of such building is discontinued for a continuous period of 90 days, every future use of such premises shall be in conformity with the provision of this chapter.

(c)

Destroyed buildings.

(1)

Nothing in this chapter shall be taken to prevent the restoration of a building destroyed by fire, explosion or other casualty, or act of God or the public enemy, nor the continued occupancy or use of such building or part thereof which existed at the time of such partial destruction except when loss is valued at 80 percent or above.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)

In all development, including commercial and industrial construction, stormwater collection facilities shall be constructed and maintained to retain or detain stormwater created or affected by the development, as determined appropriate to prevent harm to downstream property owners and otherwise in compliance with the Clean Water Act. 33 U.S.C. § 1251-1376 (1994) and related sections. The same shall be certified by an engineer licensed in the State of Georgia with substantial experience in stormwater regulation and control.

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)