(a) Unless otherwise defined in this Chapter, all permitted principal and special land uses except for those land uses for which a minimum lot size is specified in this Zoning Code and customary accessory structures may be erected on any single lot of record or the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Zoning Code. This provision shall apply even though such lot fails to meet the requirements for area or width, or both, that are generally applicable in the district, provided that yard dimensions, including minimum setbacks and lot coverage and other requirements not involving area or width, or both, of the lot, shall conform to the regulations for the district in which such lot is located.
(b) In any district in which single family dwellings are permitted the following regulations shall apply if two or more lots, or combinations or portions of lots, which are non-conforming, are held in common ownership.
(1) If two or more lots, or combination of lots or portions of lots, located adjacent to each other are at any time held in common ownership, and if all or part of such lots do not satisfy the minimum requirements for a buildable lot in the zoning district in which they are located, then all of such lots shall automatically be considered to be combined for zoning purposes into one conforming lot, or one lot that is more nearly conforming than the individual lots. Such lots shall comply with the setback requirements contained in Appendix I, Schedule of Regulations herein.
(2) Each individual lot which has been combined for zoning purposes under division (b)(1) of this section shall cease to be considered a separate lot of record, and shall no longer be considered to be a buildable lot.
(3) Lots combined for zoning purposes pursuant to this section shall not thereafter be split, re-divided, or otherwise reduced in area unless all of the resulting lots comply with the minimum lot area requirement for a buildable lot in the district in which the land is located unless a lot is divided and legally combined with an adjacent lot or lots, provided, however, in the case of a platter lot being divided and combined with an adjacent lot or lots, such division shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 1210 Land Division of this City Code.
(4) If two or more lots, or combination of lots or portions of lots, located adjacent to each other are at any time held in common ownership, then a single-family dwelling and a customary accessory building may be erected on any such lots, but the applicable regulations pertaining to required minimum front and rear yard setbacks, maximum building height limitations and required minimum side yards, shall be satisfied.
(1975 Code § 5.116) (Ord. 500. Passed 5-7-13; Ord. 561. Passed 4-12- 22.)