(A) Zoning lots. No part of an existing zoning lot shall be used as a separate zoning lot or for the use of another zoning lot, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(B) Minimum lot area. Lot area requirements shall be as specified in the applicable zoning district in which a zoning lot is located. No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in size or area below the minimum requirements identified within this chapter.
(C) Street frontage. Each lot shall have frontage on a public street at a width satisfying the requirements specified for each zoning district. In the case of a condominium, unified shopping center, or planned unit development, the entire site shall be considered one zoning lot.
(D) Common yard and height requirements. In general:
(1) Unless otherwise authorized by variance, administrative adjustment or PUD, no lot, yard, or other open space shall be reduced in area or dimension so as to make such lot, yard, or open space less than the minimum required by this chapter; and if the existing yard or other open space as existing is less than the minimum required, it shall not be further reduced.
(2) A yard or other open area required about a building shall not be included as part of a yard or other open space for another building.
(E) Division of a zoning lot. No zoning lot shall be divided into two or more zoning lots unless all zoning lots resulting from such division conform to all applicable regulations of this chapter.
(F) Existing lots.
(1) A lot or parcel of land in a residential district which was of record as a separate lot or parcel in the Office of the County Recorder or Registrar of Titles on or before the date of adoption of this chapter may be used for single-family detached dwelling purposes provided the area and width are within 66% of the minimum requirements of this chapter and provided that it can be demonstrated that safe and adequate sewage treatment systems can be installed to serve the permanent dwelling.
(2) In the Shoreland Overlay Zoning District, lots of record in the Office of the County Recorder on the date of enactment of local shoreland controls that do not meet the requirements of §§ 154.110 through 154.126, Shoreland Overlay District, may be allowed as building sites without variances from lot size requirements provided:
(a) The use is permitted in the zoning district;
(b) The lot has been in separate ownership from abutting lands at all times since it became substandard;
(c) The lot was created compliant with official controls in effect at the time;
(d) Sewage treatment and setback requirements of this chapter are met; and
(e) Impervious surface coverage does not exceed 25% of the lot.
(3) In the Shoreland Overlay Zoning District, a group of two or more contiguous lots of record under a common ownership, an individual lot must be considered as a separate parcel of land for the purpose of sale or development, if it meets the following requirements:
(a) The lot must be at least 66% of the dimensional standard for lot width and lot size for the shoreland classification consistent with Minn. Rules, Ch. 6120;
(b) The lot must be connected to safe and adequate sewage treatment;
(c) Impervious surface coverage must not exceed 25% of each lot; and
(d) Development of the lot must be consistent with an adopted comprehensive plan.
(4) A lot subject to division (C) of this section, not meeting the requirements of division (C) must be combined with the one or more contiguous lots so they equal one or more conforming lots as much as possible.
(5) Notwithstanding division (C) of this section, contiguous non-conforming lots of record in shoreland areas under a common ownership must be able to be sold individually if each lot contained a habitable dwelling at the time the lots came under common ownership and the lots are connected to safe and adequate sewage treatment.
(6) In the Shoreland Overlay Zoning District, when evaluating variances, zoning and building permit applications or conditional use requests, the zoning authority shall require the property owner to address, when appropriate, storm water runoff, impervious surfaces, increased setback, wetland restoration, vegetative buffers, sewage treatment and water supply, and other conservation actions.
(7) A portion of a conforming lot may be separated from an existing parcel as long as the remainder of the existing parcel meets the lot size and sewage treatment requirements of the zoning district for a new lot and the newly created parcel is combined with an adjacent parcel.
(`86 Code, § 9.14) (Am. Ord. 632, passed 12-15-92; Am. Ord. 983, passed 7-17-12)
(G) Corner lots. On a corner lot, one of the lot lines that abuts the street shall be considered a front lot line and the other shall be considered a corner side lot line. Establishment of the front lot line shall be based on the orientation of the existing or proposed building.
(H) Through lots. On a through lot, both lot lines that abut the street shall be considered front lot lines. The required front setback shall be provided and maintained along each front lot line.
(Ord. 1040, passed 1-5-16)