Nanticoke City is hereby divided into zoning districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map, which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be part of this chapter, together with all future notations, references and amendments.
Any changes to the location of zoning district boundaries or other matters portrayed upon the Official Zoning Map shall be undertaken in accordance with the applicable provisions contained within Article XIV of this chapter and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended. Such changes shall be provided upon the Official Zoning Map promptly after the enactment of the subject amendment by Nanticoke City Council.
For the interpretation of zoning district boundaries, the following subsections shall apply if or when a determination is not made by the Zoning Officer.
If uncertainty exists as to the boundary of any zoning district shown upon the Official Zoning Map, the Zoning Hearing Board shall determine the location of such boundary according to the guidelines set forth in § 500-403.2.
A. 
Zoning district boundary lines are generally intended to follow or parallel the centerline of streets, streams and railroads; and the lot or property lines as they exist on a recorded deed or plan in the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds Office at the time of adoption of this chapter, unless such zoning district boundary lines are fixed by dimensions as shown on the Official Zoning Map.
B. 
Where a zoning district boundary is not fixed by dimensions and where it approximately follows lot lines, and does not scale more than 10 feet therefrom, such lot lines shall be construed to be such boundaries unless specifically shown otherwise.
C. 
If the guidelines as stated above fail to provide and establish the boundary of a zoning district, a survey of the property or area of land in question shall be made by a registered surveyor, with the cost of the survey paid by the party who is questioning or contesting the boundary location.
For the purpose of this chapter, the City of Nanticoke is hereby divided into zoning districts with the intended legislative intent as designated below:
A. 
R-1 Residential Single-Family District: The provisions for the R-1 District are intended to create, preserve and enhance areas composed primarily of single-family residences built at relatively lower densities. These districts are still stable and essentially in sound condition with a minimal amount of nonconforming uses and should be protected from intrusion of uses and activities incompatible with the character of single-family areas. The majority of land under this classification is located upon streets which are local in nature and carry relatively low volumes of traffic. It is also intended that these districts have adequate light and space around the buildings and be well landscaped, with mature trees and shrubbery, so that they will be continuing assets to the City and will promote a stable, healthy, and safe environment.
B. 
R-2 Residential Two-Family District. The majority of residential land within The City of Nanticoke is classified as R-2. The uses within this district are primarily single-family and two-family residences with land use and population densities which are moderate, but higher than those within the R-1 District. Similar to the R-1 District, the majority of land under this classification is located upon local streets designed and intended to carry relatively low volumes of traffic.
C. 
R-3 Residential Multi-Family District. The purpose of this district is to provide for and recognize existing areas of higher density and to allow for a further diversification of housing types within the City of Nanticoke. The uses within this district include a mix of a variety of housing types. The provisions for the R-3 District are intended to create, preserve, and enhance areas of the City that are primarily residential in character but built to higher densities than any other R District. They may be older areas or newly developed or redeveloped areas where the plan of the City indicates that it is feasible and desirable to develop certain areas with medium to high concentrations of population due to the availability of adequate public facilities and utilities, the adequacy of the road and transportation systems and the suitability of the environment. It is also the intent that some nonresidential uses will be permitted in these districts intended to be complementary and as an enhancement of the quality of such a neighborhood.
D. 
C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District. The provisions for the C-1 District are intended to create, preserve and enhance business areas to serve residential neighborhoods. They are generally districts which contain several small-scale retail establishments, in small clustered groupings, serving frequently recurring needs in locations convenient to residents. Given the transitional land use patterns often found within a C-1 District, residential uses are intended to be permitted in these districts.
E. 
C-2 Central Business District. The provisions for the C-2 District are intended to create, preserve and enhance business areas having a regional presence with a wide range of retail and service establishments typically appropriate with a Community's Central Business District, along major traffic arteries.
F. 
C-3 Heavy Commercial District. The provisions for the C-3 District are intended to create, preserve and enhance areas devoted to primarily to highway-oriented uses at a high density. Such districts may include commercial services which are incompatible with the Central Business District and residential districts because of their need for extensive parking and loading areas of their external impact or surrounding areas. C-3 Districts will be greatly located along or near major traffic corridors.
G. 
I-1 Industrial District. The provisions for the I-1 District are intended to provide for development of industrial uses which are primarily engaged in the manufacturing of previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, packaging, incidental storage, sales and distribution of such products, with the intent of insuring that the subject industrial uses are compatible with other activities within the community. It is also the intent of this district to provide space for uses for industrial and related uses of such a nature which may require isolation from other land uses to avoid conflicting and/or incompatible development patterns. I-1 Districts are generally located so that they have access to suitable and adequate railroad, highway, or other transportation and shipping facilities.
H. 
S-1 Special Purpose District. The provisions for the S-1 District are intended to create, preserve and enhance areas intended for use by the public including public and private schools, colleges, vocational training facilities, medical facilities, along with public and quasi-public uses of a governmental, welfare and/or cultural nature.
I. 
Conservation - Open Space District. The provisions of the C-OP District are designed to preserve and promote green spaces throughout the City to enhance the environmental quality of life for City residents. Areas suitable for a C-OP classification include areas prone to flooding, forested areas, wetlands, undeveloped land with restricted access, public parks and open space capable of meeting the passive and active recreational needs of residents.