In order to more effectively protect and promote the general welfare and accomplish the aims and objectives of Putnam Township, the Township is divided into zoning districts of a number, boundaries, shape, and area that are deemed most suitable to provide for the best development of the community, while protecting the common rights and interests of all through associated regulations and restrictions. For the purposes of this chapter, Putnam Township is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:
A-O Agricultural/Open Space District
RR Rural Residential District (minimum lot size 10 acres)
RS-1 Single-Family Residential District (minimum lot size five acres)
RS-2 Single-Family Residential District (minimum lot size three acres)
RS-3 Single-Family Residential District (minimum lot size one acre)
RS-4 Single-Family Residential District
LR-1 Single-Family Lake Residential
LR-2 Single-Family Lake Residential
R-2 Two-Family Residential
R-3 Multiple-Family Residential
MHC Manufactured Housing Community
RBR Resource-Based Recreation District
C-1 Local Business District
C-2 General Business District
M-1 Light Industrial District
The locations and boundaries of these descriptions are hereby established on a map entitled "Putnam Township Zoning Map" which is hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter.[1]
A. 
Regardless of the existence of copies of the Zoning Map which may be made or published, the official Zoning Map shall be located in the office of the Zoning Administrator and shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status in the Township. A record is to be kept by the Zoning Administrator of all changes made or required to be made to the Official Zoning Map.
B. 
The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the Zoning Administrator, attested to by the Township Clerk.
C. 
The Official Zoning Map is to be kept up to date, accessible to the general public, and shall be the final authority as to the current zoning district status of all land and buildings in Putnam Township which are subject to the provisions of this chapter. Once the change to the map becomes effective, it shall be specifically identified on the Official Zoning Map.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in the Township offices.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of Zoning Districts, as shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
A. 
Where the boundaries are indicated as approximately following streets, alleys, or highways, the center lines of those streets, alleys, or highways, or those lines extended shall be construed to be the boundaries.
B. 
Boundaries indicated as approximately following lot lines shall be construed as following those lot lines.
C. 
Boundaries indicated as approximately following Township boundary lines shall be construed as following those Township lines.
D. 
Boundaries indicated as approximately following railroad lines shall be construed to be the center line of the railroad right-of-way.
E. 
Boundaries indicated as approximately parallel to the center lines of streets or highways shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at the distances there from as indicated on the Official Zoning Map. If no distance is given, the dimension shall be determined by the use of the scale shown on the Official Zoning Map.
F. 
Boundaries following the shoreline of stream, lake, or other body of water shall be construed to follow that shoreline, and in the event of change in the shoreline shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center line of streams, rivers, canals, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow those center lines.
G. 
Where the application of the these rules leaves a reasonable doubt as to the boundaries between two districts, or where the boundary line divides a lot or parcel, the regulations of the more restrictive district shall govern the entire parcel in question.
Whenever any street, alley or other public way within the Township is vacated by official governmental action, and when the lands within the boundaries thereof attach to and become a part of lands adjoining the street, alley, or public way, these lands shall automatically be subjected to the same zoning regulations as are applicable to the adjoining lands.
Whenever any property within the Village of Pinckney is disconnected from the Village and becomes a part of Putnam Township, these lands shall be considered to be zoned RR Rural Residential District, unless 60% or more of the disconnected lands consists of farms, in which case the property shall be considered to be zoned A-O Agricultural/Open Space District.
When district boundaries hereafter become changed, any use made nonconforming by that change may be continued, subject to the provisions of this chapter.