West Earl Township is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map, which, together with all explanatory matter therefrom, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be part of this chapter, together with all future notations, references and amendments.
A. 
Identification of Official Zoning Map. The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the governing body and attested to by the Secretary of that body, together with the date of the adoption of this chapter.
B. 
Changing the Official Zoning Map. If, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended,[1] changes are made in district boundaries or other matters portrayed on the Official Zoning Map, such changes shall be entered on the Official Zoning Map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the governing body. No changes of any nature shall be made in the Official Zoning Map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this chapter. All changes shall be noted by date with a brief description of the nature of the change.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
C. 
Location of Official Zoning Map. The Official Zoning Map shall be located in a place as designated by the Township Supervisors and shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas in the municipality, regardless of unofficial copies which may have been made or published from time to time.
D. 
Replacement of Official Zoning Map. In the event that the Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret because of the nature or number of changes and additions, the governing body may, by resolution, adopt a new Official Zoning Map which shall supersede the prior Official Zoning Map. The new Official Zoning Map may correct drafting or other errors or omissions in the prior Official Zoning Map, but no such correction shall have the effect of amending the original Official Zoning Map or any subsequent amendment thereof. The new Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signatures of the governing body, attested by the Secretary of that body, and bear the following words: "This is to certify that this Official Zoning Map supersedes and replaces the Official Zoning Map adopted November 23, 1970, as part of Ordinance No. 23 of West Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania." Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any significant parts thereof remaining shall be preserved, together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.
[Amended 9-28-2009 by Ord. No. 206; 6-10-2024 by Ord. No. 274]
For the purpose of this chapter, the township is hereby divided into classes of districts which shall be designated as follows:
A
Agricultural
R-1
Low-Density Residential
R-2
Medium-Density Residential
C-1
Neighborhood Commercial
C-2
General Commercial
I
Industrial
MUE
Mixed Use Enterprise District
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
A. 
Designation of district boundaries. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways, alleys, railroad rights-of-way, streams, rivers, existing lot lines or municipal boundary lines shall be construed to follow such features indicated. Where a district boundary line does not follow such a line, its position is shown on said Zoning Map by a specific dimension expressing its distance in feet from a street line or other boundary line as indicated and running parallel to said line.
B. 
Determination of location of boundaries. Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map or if uncertainty exists as to the true location of a distance boundary line in a particular instance, the Zoning Officer shall request the Zoning Hearing Board to render its determination with respect thereto.