- A)Zones: For the purposes of this Regulation, the entire first district of Liberia is divided into the following zones:
1. Residential Zone (Z-R) 2. Central Commerce Zone (Z-CC) 3. Public Uses Zone (Z-UP) 4. Industrial Zone (Z-I) 5. Rural Zone (Z-R) 6. Special Control Zone (Z-CE) 7. Special Commerce (Co E) The zones are divided into subzones for regulatory purposes and these into sectors for purposes of description or identification.
The residential zones, the central commerce zone, and the industrial zones are defined on the zoning map. The rural zone is defined as the rest of the territory of the first district.
When a lot or property is divided by a boundary between zones, the regulations of either may be extended or not to the rest of the lot or estate up to a maximum distance of 100 m from said boundary, at the discretion of the Municipality and the Directorate of Urbanism.
- B)Uses: To regulate uses, these are classified as:
- Permitted uses.
- Conditional uses - Non-conforming uses.
A permitted use is that urban or rural use of a lot or estate to which the owner is entitled to dedicate it, constructing the necessary facilities, without further restrictions than those indicated herein and after processing the corresponding permits. Permitted uses are listed for each zone.
A conditional (or conditioned) use is one that, even when not permitted, may occur in a zone subject to prior special authorization from the Municipality and the Directorate of Urbanism, establishing for each case the restrictions to which it is subject or the requirements it must meet. Conditional uses are also listed for each zone.
A non-conforming use is one that does not conform to the zoning indicated on the zoning map but existed on the effective date of these regulations.
- C)Limitations on non-conforming uses: Any use of land, buildings, or structures existing on the effective date of this Regulation that does not correspond to the indicated zoning may continue with the following limitations:
1. It may not be expanded, reconstructed, or remodeled partially or totally without prior authorization from the Municipality and the Directorate of Urbanism.
1. Upon request of any interested party, the Municipality shall issue a zone certificate, stating the type of zone or subzone corresponding to a particular lot or estate.
2. For the purposes of construction, expansion, remodeling, or reconstruction permits for buildings or developments, the zone certificate must be obtained prior to any processing, and plans approved by other public bodies, such as the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Urbanism, will not be accepted unless the zone certificate indicates that it has been exhibited and duly acknowledged by the respective public entities.
3. For the purposes of applying for a conditional use, or change, remodeling, expansion, or reconstruction of a non-conforming use, the Municipality shall also require the zone certificate and that it has been seen by the Directorate of Urbanism.
4. For its part, the Municipality may discretionarily require the zone certificate for the purposes of granting licenses, approving deeds, or any other purposes.
- E)Construction permits, licenses, and approvals:
1. The Municipality shall not grant permits for construction, expansion, or remodeling of buildings or developments that contravene the zoning or any of the provisions of these regulations. When appropriate, the document containing the construction, expansion, or remodeling permit for buildings or developments shall establish the other requirements affecting the work.
2. Likewise, licenses or use permits shall not be granted for any property where the requested use does not comply with the zoning or any of the provisions of this Regulation.
3. The approval under article 33 of the Urban Planning Law shall not be granted for lots resulting from a subdivision (fraccionamiento) or development if the resulting portions do not meet the requirements established in this Regulation, in addition to the general rules.
- F)Developments, subdivisions (fraccionamientos), and constructions:
1. In the residential zone and in the industrial zone, developments, subdivisions (fraccionamientos), and constructions shall be permitted under the current regulations and in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.
2. In the central commerce zone, developments and housing constructions shall not be permitted; they may only be built on the second floor, according to the requirements indicated further below.
3. In the rural zone, new developments shall not be permitted. Constructions and subdivisions (fraccionamientos) shall be permitted, under the requirements for this zone indicated further below in this Regulation.
- G)Existing lots or estates and existing constructions:
1. The minimum areas and frontages stipulated in this Regulation for each and every zone shall be required for new lots or estates, product or result of a subdivision (fraccionamiento) of a parent estate or development, and at the time of granting the corresponding permits.
2. Existing lots or estates whose areas and frontages are below the minimum requirements for their zone, both in already developed areas and in surrounding areas, may remain as they are or be grouped, without prejudice to municipal powers to deny, when appropriate, construction permits on them.
3. Construction requirements (setbacks, coverages, building height, floor area, parking, or others) shall be required for future constructions or those intended to be built, and at the time of requesting a construction (or remodeling or expansion) permit.
They shall be required for each zone and for any existing or new lot.
4. Existing constructions that do not comply with the requirements, in any zone, may remain as they are, or be modified always in the direction of complying with the requirements.