Chapter 17-2.1 establishes zoning districts, consistent with the City of Molalla Comprehensive Plan. Every unit of land (parcel, lot, and tract) within the City of Molalla is designated with a zoning district or "zone," and may also be designated with one or more overlay zones. The use of land is limited to the uses allowed by the applicable zone(s).
(Ord. 2017-08 §1)
Zoning designations are as depicted on the City of Molalla Zoning Map. The Planning Official maintains official copies of the Zoning Map and Comprehensive Plan. Where a conflict between documents arises, the Comprehensive Plan shall govern.
A. 
Residential (R) Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-5). Four residential zoning districts are intended to accommodate a mix of residential uses at planned densities, consistent with the housing needs of the City; promote the orderly development and improvement of neighborhoods; facilitate compatibility between dissimilar land uses; allow residences in proximity, and with direct connections, to schools, parks, and community services; and to ensure efficient use of land and public facilities. The following summarizes the purpose of each residential district. See also Chapter 17-2.2 Zoning District Regulations and Chapter 17-2.3 Special Use Standards.
1. 
The Residential Low Density (R-1) district permits residential uses at densities between four and eight dwelling units per net buildable acre. Permitted residential uses consist primarily of detached single-family housing and duplex housing subject to special use standards, and community service uses such as churches, schools, and parks.
2. 
The Residential Medium Density (R-2) district permits residential uses at densities between six and 12 dwelling units per net buildable acre. Permitted residential uses consist of detached (e.g., single-family and duplex) housing and attached (e.g., townhouse and multifamily) housing. The R-2 district also allows, subject to special use standards, parks, schools, places of worship, and certain community service uses.
3. 
The Residential Medium-High Density Residential (R-3) district permits single-family dwellings on small lots, duplex dwellings, and multifamily dwellings. Permitted dwellings include detached housing and attached (e.g., townhouse and multifamily) housing. The R-3 district also permits community service uses such as schools, parks, religious institutions/places of worship; and public and semipublic structures such as fire stations and utilities.
4. 
The Historic Residential (R-5) district permits residential uses similar to those permitted in the R-3 district. The R-5 district also allows, subject to special use standards, some commercial and employment uses.
B. 
Commercial Districts (C-1 and C-2). Commercial zoning districts accommodate a mix of commercial services, retail, and civic uses, with existing residences permitted to continue, and some new residential uses permitted. Two commercial zoning districts, one for the central commercial/traditional downtown area (C-1, Central Commercial) and one for the general commercial (C-2, General Commercial) area, provide for the full range of commercial land uses within the City. The zoning district regulations are intended to promote the orderly development and improvement of walkable commercial areas; facilitate compatibility between dissimilar land uses; provide employment opportunities in proximity, and with direct connections, to housing; and to ensure efficient use of land and public facilities.
C. 
Industrial Districts (M-1 and M-2). Industrial zoning districts accommodate a mix of intensive and less intensive uses engaged in manufacturing, processing, warehousing, distribution, and similar activities. Two industrial zoning districts, one for Light Industry (M-1, Light Industrial) and one for Heavy Industry (M-2, Heavy Industrial) provide for the full range of planned industrial land uses within the City. Both districts are intended to provide for efficient use of land and public services, provide a high quality environment for business, offer a range of parcel sizes and locations for industrial site selection, avoid encroachment by incompatible uses, provide transportation options for employees and customers, and facilitate compatibility between dissimilar uses. The Heavy Industrial district additionally provides suitable locations for intensive industrial uses, such as those with processing, manufacturing, assembly, packaging, distribution, or other activities.
D. 
Public Facilities, Semi-Public District (PSP). See also Chapter 17-2.2 Zoning District Regulations and Chapter 17-2.3 Special Use Standards. The Public Facilities, Semi-Public (PSP) district provides for public and semi-public uses, including, but not limited to, schools, government offices, fire stations, police stations, libraries, public works yards, reservoirs, and other public facilities, consistent with adopted public facility master plans.
(Ord. 2017-08 §1)
Where due to the scale, lack of scale, lack of detail, or illegibility of the Zoning Map, or due to any other reason, there is uncertainty, contradiction, or conflict as to the intended location of a zoning district boundary, the Planning Official or, upon referral, the Planning Commission or City Council, shall determine the boundary as follows:
A. 
Right-of-Way. Boundaries that approximately follow the centerlines of a street, highway, alley, bridge, railroad, or other right-of-way shall be construed to follow such centerlines. Whenever any public right-of-way is lawfully vacated, the lands formerly within the vacated right-of-way shall automatically be subject to the same zoning district designation that is applicable to lands abutting the vacated areas. In cases where the right-of-way formerly served as a zoning district boundary, the vacated lands within the former right-of-way shall be allocated proportionately to the abutting zoning districts.
B. 
Parcel, Lot, Tract. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the boundaries of a parcel, lot, or tract shall be construed as following such boundaries.
C. 
Jurisdiction Boundary. Boundaries indicated as approximately following a City or County boundary, or the Urban Growth Boundary, shall be construed as following said boundary.
D. 
Natural Feature. Boundaries indicated as approximately following a river, stream, topographic contour, or similar feature not corresponding to any feature listed in subsections A through C, shall be construed as following such feature.
(Ord. 2017-08 §1)