1.

Purpose of zoning Districts. Zoning Districts are established in this article to implement the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan, to promote compatible land use patterns and to establish development standards appropriate for each zoning District.

2.

Zoning Districts established. The following base zoning Districts, special purpose zoning Districts and overlay zoning Districts are hereby established:

Zoning Districts may be referred to throughout this Code by their map code designations.

3.

Zoning District hierarchy. References in this Code to less restrictive or more restrictive zoning Districts refer to the residential, commercial and industrial base Districts established by Sec. III-A.2 and represent a progression from the RR District as the most restrictive base district to the AFB District as the least restrictive base District. Special purpose base Districts and Overlay Districts are not included in the zoning District hierarchy.

4.

Zoning map

a.

Adoption of Official Zoning District Map. The boundaries of the zoning Districts established by this Code shall be shown on a map or series of maps entitled "Official Zoning District Map." The legend of the Official Zoning District Map shall indicate the date of adoption. Original copies of such maps and all amendments thereto shall be maintained in the office of the Planning Director. In case of any dispute regarding the zoning classification of property subject to this Code, the original maps maintained by the Planning Director shall control.

b.

Omitted land. In case any land subject to this Code has not been specifically included within any of the Districts shown on such map such land shall automatically be classified into the SF-5 District if within the city limits of the City of Wichita, or the RR District if outside the Wichita city limits.

5.

District boundaries. These provisions shall govern interpretations regarding the location of zoning District boundaries shown on the Official Zoning District Map.

a.

Streets and Alleys. District boundaries are either Streets or Alleys, unless otherwise shown, and where the designation on the maps indicates the various Districts as approximately following Streets or Alley lines, the Street or Alley line shall be construed to be the boundary of the District.

b.

Lot Lines. Where District boundaries are not otherwise indicated and where the property has been divided into blocks and Lots, the District boundaries shall be construed to be Lot Lines, and where bounded by Lot Lines, such Lot Lines shall be construed to be the boundary of such Districts, unless such boundaries are otherwise indicated on the maps.

c.

Street vacations. Whenever any Street, Alley or public way is vacated by official action of the Governing Body, the zoning Districts Abutting 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 thenceforth be subject to all regulations of the extended Districts.

d.

Uncertainties. Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground contradict those shown on the Official Zoning District Map, or in case any other uncertainty exists, the location of District boundaries shall be determined by the Planning Director.

6.

Compliance with zoning District standards. No Building or Structure shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or altered for use, nor shall any Building or Structure or land be used or changed in use that does not comply with all of the District regulations established by this Code for the District in which the Building or Structure or land is located.

7.

Zoning District conversions. Zoning District names and map code designations established according to ordinances and resolutions prior to March 25, 1996 are hereby converted as follows:

All references to old District names or old map codes in the Code of the City of Wichita or the Sedgwick County Code, or in any order, agreement, permit, license, covenant, or any other action entered or permitted by the City or County or by any person in reliance upon the City/County zoning designations shall, upon March 25, 1996, be deemed to be reference to the corresponding new District name or map code.

8.

SF-6 to SF-5 Conversion. SF-6 District and map code designations established according to ordinances and resolutions prior to May 18, 2001 are converted to SF-5. Prior references to SF-6 in the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code, or in any order, agreement, permit, license, covenant, or any other action entered or permitted by the City or County or by any person in reliance upon the City/County zoning designation shall, upon May 18, 2001, be deemed to be reference to SF-5.

9.

Continuance of Conditional Use and Use Exception provisions. All provisions of Conditional Uses and Use Exceptions approved under zoning codes in effect prior to March 25, 1996, shall be continued in full force and effect unless the subject uses are permitted Uses under this new Code.

10.

Classification of unlisted Uses. For Uses not specifically listed in this Code or not obviously included in one of the comprehensive use definitions, the Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to determine the appropriate District or Districts that allow the Use based on the Use's similarity to Uses that are listed.