Merced County Municipal Code Ch. 18.06 Zones and Zoning Map

This chapter establishes the zones applied to property located within the County and adopts the County's Zoning Map.

(Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

A. General. The County is divided into zones to allow for the orderly, planned development of the County and to implement the General Plan. Table 1-1 (Zones Implementing the General Plan), below identifies all of the zones adopted by the County. All zones shall be listed and appropriately designated on the County's Zoning Map.

B. Base Zones. Every parcel shall have a base zone that establishes the primary type and intensity of land use allowed, along with development regulations for that particular type and intensity of land use.

Table 1-1 Zones Implementing the General Plan

(Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

The boundaries, designations, and locations of the zones established by this Zoning Code shall be shown upon the map(s) entitled "Zoning Map for Merced County" and referred to in this Zoning Code as the Zoning Map. Any additional maps (e.g., setback map, height map) adopted shall also be a part of this Zoning Code by reference. This Zoning Code, together with the Zoning Map, is hereby adopted in compliance with current State planning, zoning, and development laws. Changes in the boundaries of any identified zones shall be made by ordinance.

(Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

Where a public street or alley is officially abandoned or vacated, the property encompassed by areas associated with the abandoned/vacated street or alley shall be included within the zone or zones of the adjoining properties. If the adjoining properties are in different zones, the boundary lines shall be the centerline of the former street or alley and the extension of the side yard lines of the abutting properties. In the event the street, alley, or right-of-way was a boundary between two or more different zones, the new zone or zone boundary shall be the property line that is created by the abandonment or vacation.

(Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

If there is uncertainty about the location of a zone boundary shown on the Zoning Map, the Director shall determine the precise location of the boundary in the following manner, except as provided in Section 18.06.040 (Rights-of-Way and Vacated Boundary Lines), above:

A. Line Shall be the Zone Boundary. Where a zone or area boundary approximately follows a parcel line, street line, or alley line, the parcel line, street centerline, or alley centerline shall be construed as the zone boundary.

B. Use of Scale. Where a zone or area boundary divides a parcel and the boundary line location is not specified by distances indicated on the subject map, the location of the boundary shall be determined by using the scale appearing on the map.

(Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)