A. Authority: The director shall have the authority to make interpretations of the text of this title and the boundaries of zoning districts on the official zoning map.
B. Initiation: An interpretation may be requested by any person.
C. Procedures:
1. Submission Of Request For Interpretation: Before an interpretation may be provided by the director, a written request for interpretation must be submitted to the director in a form established by the director.
2. Rendering Of Interpretation: Upon receipt of a complete request for interpretation, the director shall review and evaluate the request in light of the terms and provisions of the zoning ordinance and/or the official zoning map, whichever is applicable, and render an interpretation. The director may consult with the city attorney and other city departments before rendering an interpretation.
3. Form: The interpretation shall be in writing and shall be sent or delivered to the applicant at the applicant's address on the request for interpretation. Interpretations that are not in writing shall have no force or effect. Interpretations shall be made on a case by case basis and have no precedential value. Interpretations shall be limited in their application to the property specifically identified.
4. Official Record: The director shall maintain an official record of all interpretations in the department. Such official record shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours upon written request.
5. Appeal: Appeals of any interpretation under this section shall be made in accordance with section 17.02.400, "Appeals", of this chapter.
D. Rules For Interpretation Of Boundaries: Interpretations regarding boundaries of zoning districts on the official zoning map shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this section.
1. District Regulations Extend To All Portions Of District: Except as otherwise specifically provided, a district symbol or name shown within district boundaries on the official zoning map indicates that district standards and other district regulations pertaining to the district extend throughout the whole area surrounded by the boundary line.
2. Boundaries: Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of zoning districts as shown on the zoning map, the following rules shall apply:
a. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of dedicated streets, highways, alleys or rights of way shall be construed as following such centerlines as they exist on the ground, except where such interpretation would change the zoning status of a lot or parcel, in which case the boundary shall be interpreted in such a manner as to avoid changing the zoning status of any lot or parcel. In case of a street vacation, the boundary shall be construed as remaining in its location except where ownership of the vacated street is divided other than at the center, in which case the boundary shall be construed as moving with the ownership.
b. Boundaries indicated as approximately following lot lines, public property lines, etc., shall be construed as following such lines; provided, however, that where such boundaries are adjacent to a dedicated street, alley, highway, or right of way and the zoning status of the street, highway, alley, or right of way is not indicated, the boundaries shall be construed as running to the middle of the street, highway, alley, or right of way. In the event of street vacation, interpretation shall be as provided in subsection D2a of this section.
c. Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following such city limits.
d. Boundaries indicated as following the centerlines of streams, canals, or other bodies of water shall be construed as following such centerlines. In case of a change of the course or extent of bodies of water, the boundaries shall be construed as moving with the change, except where such movement would change the zoning status of a lot or parcel; and in such case the boundary shall be interpreted in such a manner as to avoid changing the zoning status of any lot or parcel.
e. Boundaries indicated as following physical features other than those listed above shall be construed as following such physical features, except where such interpretation from mapped location would change the zoning status of a lot or parcel, in which case the boundary shall be interpreted in such manner as to avoid changing the zoning status of any lot or parcel.
f. Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections D2a through D2e of this section shall be construed as being parallel to or extensions of such features.
g. Distances not specifically indicated on the official zoning map shall be determined by the scale of the map on the page of the official zoning map showing the property in question.
E. Division Of A Lot Of Record By A Boundary: Where a district boundary divides a lot of record at the time the boundary was established, and where the division makes impractical the reasonable use of the lot, the boundary may be adjusted by the director in either direction not to exceed fifty feet (50') beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.
F. Nonregulated Land Transfers: Abutting portions of lots may be transferred to adjoining property owners without being subject to subdivision requirements; provided, however, that no such transfer shall imply or confer any right to develop, or create a new lot, create or increase a nonconformity of any nature whatsoever, or circumvent the intent or requirements of this code. (Note: This type of transfer is commonly known as a "lot line adjustment" even though the platted lot lines are not changed and cannot be changed except through platting.) (Ord. 3044, 2020: Ord. 2846 § 1, 2008)