(A) 
Compliance Hereafter.
All land, buildings, structures, or appurtenances thereon located within the City of Garland, Texas that are occupied, used, constructed, erected, removed, placed, demolished, or converted after the effective date of this GDC must be in conformance with the zoning regulations prescribed for the zoning district in which the land or building is located, or the land, buildings, structures, or appurtenances will be subject to penalties provided in Chapter 5 of this GDC. This provision applies to only the portion of the building, structure, or land that is actually newly occupied, used, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered after the effective date of this GDC. All of the standards and regulations prescribed by this GDC are the minimum requirements unless explicitly stated otherwise.
(B) 
Lot Area Deficiency.
If a lot was legally platted prior to the effective date of this GDC, was held in separate ownership from any adjacent property prior to the effective date of this GDC, and contains less area, width, or depth than is required under these regulations, the platted lot may be used for any lawful use within the district notwithstanding the lot area deficiency. However, the lot is subject to all other district regulations.
(C) 
Use Conflicting with Other Regulations.
Uses prohibited by state or federal law, or that operate in excess of state or federal environmental, pollution, or performance standards as determined by the applicable state or federal agency, are prohibited under this GDC.
(D) 
Yards, Open Spaces, Off-Street Parking and Loading Spaces.
No part of a yard, open space, or off-street parking, or loading space required for a building or use by these zoning regulations may be used to satisfy a requirement for any other building or use unless “sharing” of the space is specifically approved by the City during the zoning, platting, or development process.
(E) 
Completion of Buildings.
No provision herein shall be interpreted to require any change in the plans, construction, or use of a building for which a currently valid Building Permit has been obtained as of the effective date of this GDC, so long as the entire building is completed within two years (that is, 730 calendar days) following the effective date of this GDC.
(1) 
The Building Official, upon application, may grant a one year (that is, 365 calendar days) time extension to complete the building or project upon demonstration of reasonable construction progress toward completion.
(2) 
A Building Permit, which does not expressly state an expiration date, in effect as of the effective date of this GDC, shall become void if no progress has been made toward completion within two years (that is, 730 calendar days) following the effective date of this GDC.
(F) 
Existing Uses.
All existing uses that may be nonconforming after the effective date of this GDC shall comply with Chapter 2, Article 7 of this GDC.
(G) 
Appurtenant to the Land.
Zoning is considered to be appurtenant to the land rather than the landowner.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)