The city is hereby subdivided into the following zoning districts:

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)

(A)

The boundaries of the above zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the Official Zoning Map of the city, which together with the explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of the Zoning Code.

(B)

(1) 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 words: Official Zoning Map, City of Westminster, South Carolina, together with the date of the adoption of this chapter.

(2)

If, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and South Carolina, Code of Laws, 1976, Title 6, Chapter 29, being S.C. Code § 6-29 et seq. 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 by the Planning Director or Building Official within seven days after the amendment has been approved by the City Council.

(C)

No changes of any nature shall be made on the Official Zoning Map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this chapter. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind of person or persons shall be considered a violation of this chapter and punishable by law.

(D)

Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the Official Zoning Map which may from time to time be made or published, the Official Zoning Map which shall be located in the office of the Planning Director or Building Official shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, building, and other structures in the city.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)

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 center or right-of-way lines of streets, highways, alleys, or public utility easements shall be construed to follow such lines.

(B)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot or tract lines shall be construed as following such lines, whether public or private.

(C)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following such city limits.

(D)

Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between main tracks.

(E)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center mean high water mark or shoreline of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such lines or marks.

(F)

Boundaries indicated as approximately following topographic elevations shall be construed to follow such elevations.

(G)

Boundaries indicated parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subdivisions (A) through (F) above shall be so construed. Where distances are not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map, or in other circumstances not covered by the above subdivisions, then the Board of Appeals shall interpret the district boundaries.

(H)

Boundaries indicated as paralleling a roadway at a given distance shall be interpreted to mean that distance from the right-of-way of the roadway, or the rear property line of lots fronting on the roadway, whichever is the least.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)

Any petition or request to annex real property into the corporate limits of the city shall include a requested zoning designation. When the city receives a completed and properly executed petition to annex real property into the city, or where the city determines to annex real property into the city pursuant to any other procedure provided for under South Carolina law, the following procedures shall apply to the application of a zoning designation to the subject property:

(1)

Upon receipt of such annexation petition or other proper request to annex real property into the city, city staff shall publish a notice of public hearing for the zoning of the subject property to the requested zoning designation for the next available meeting of the Planning Commission.

(2)

The Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing and consider the requested zoning designation for the subject property in the same manner as the Planning Commission considers property rezonings and shall make a recommendation for the appropriate zoning designation for the subject property to the City Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City Council may elect to conduct the public hearing in lieu of the Planning Commission. The public hearing conducted regarding the zoning of the subject property is in addition to any public hearing that may be required pursuant to Title 5, Chapter 3 of the South Carolina Code, including the public hearing required with respect to any annexation pursuant to Section 5-3-150(1) of the South Carolina Code, commonly referred to as the "75% method" of annexation.

(3)

The Planning Commission's recommendation for the appropriate zoning designation of the subject property shall be forwarded to the City Council, which shall consider the annexation and zoning of the subject property through a single ordinance.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023; Ord. No. 2024-12-10-01, § 2, passed 12-10-2024)

Conservation and historic areas may be found in any zoning district when and if the Planning Commission, and/or the City Council set them aside. These areas would not disturb, destroy, or impair the natural flora, fauna, watercourses, or topography. Wildlife, along with the preservation of historic areas are deemed by the city.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)