§ 1-1-6 Regulations Governing Newly Annexed Areas.
A. INITIAL ZONING. Within newly annexed areas, the City shall initially adopt zoning classifications which permit densities and uses no greater than those permitted by Maricopa County immediately prior to annexation, unless an amendment of the Zoning District boundary is processed concurrently with such annexation, pursuant to the procedures required for such an amendment. Areas, when annexed to the City, shall, until officially zoned by the City Council, be considered to be zoned to City classification closest to that shown on the official zoning map of Maricopa County at the time of annexation. Such County Zoning shall apply for not more than six (6) months. Subsequent changes in zoning of the annexed territory shall be made according to procedures established by this Ordinance.
B. CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING PERMITS.
1. Maricopa County building permits or Use Permits validly issued pursuant to County requirements not more than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of annexation, shall be accepted by the Chief Building Official, or his designee, as valid permits for a period of sixty (60) days after the effective date of annexation. If construction has not commenced on or before the sixtieth (60th) day after the effective date of annexation, a City building or Use Permit shall be required.
2. For buildings under construction with a valid building or Use Permit issued by Maricopa County prior to the effective date of an annexation ordinance, a City building permit shall not be required, but the Chief Building Official, or his designee, shall require that buildings constructed under such County building or Use Permit shall be structurally safe and shall conform to pertinent County zoning regulations in effect at the time the County permit was issued.
C. EXISTING USE, ACTIVITY OR STRUCTURE.
1. Any use or activity conducted contrary to County zoning regulations at the effective date of annexation and not constituting a nonconforming use under the County zoning regulations shall not be considered a nonconforming use, and shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance.
2. Any use, activity or structure that is existing at the effective date of annexation, under a Maricopa County Use Permit with a time limit imposed, shall not be a nonconforming use, but may, unless considered a permitted use under subsequently-established City zoning, continue for the extent of the time limit. Such Use Permits may be extended with subsequent City Use Permit approval in accordance with this Ordinance.
3. Any lot or parcel of land duly recorded in the Maricopa County Recorder's Office prior to the effective date of this Ordinance and having an area, width or depth less than that required in the Zoning District regulations in which such lot or parcel is situated, shall be deemed to be a lot and may be used as a building site, provided that applicable use, setback, height and lot coverage, parking, signage, landscaping, and Site Plan criteria for the Zoning District shall apply.
D. LAND USE MAP TO BE PREPARED. Upon annexation, the property owners requesting annexation shall prepare a land use map which shall depict the manner in which buildings and/or lands were being used at the time of annexation.