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paper size, btandard 8;c,-bv-1;3-mch paper is most desirable
<br />~.~ccausc it is simply thc most .wi&iv used attd recognized. Many
<br />codes are printed ~n smaller baper'sizes used by many legaJ '
<br />publishers. With less text on,ach page, readeri must'turn more
<br />pages to find informafon and find it awkward to photocopy.
<br />Text printing should be i~ portrai~ ~text parallel to thc short
<br />edge of thc pagc~ rather thanilandscapc (parallel to the long edge)
<br />format. Avoid mixing them-~-it becomes clumsy.
<br />Either a type style with serifs (letter extensions), such as the
<br />type on this page, or a belvetjca sanserif style works well. They
<br />ate widely used and easy to r~ad. Avoid stylized type.
<br />£ont iefers to a type's stvlle, weight, a,~d height· !
<br />T)'pe sizes are measured m points. Twelve-point is
<br />common, although I I - or e~en 1 ()-point type is easily ,~
<br />read. Smaller type alk)ws mo~'c information on each
<br />page, which reduces page tu?r. ning and allows quicker
<br />access to information. A mixiof 12-point type for text ·
<br />and I O-point t),pe for tables hnd charts works well.
<br />Use larger type for major ~apter, division, and
<br />section headings following a h.~ieratchv~' to denote their
<br />relative importance. Assigning~bold attributes to major ·
<br />headings will further cnhancekeadabilirv. Type size and
<br />attributes should bc consisten~throut~hout the code.
<br />Use headers and footers. ~eader~s are printed at the
<br />top of each page attd footers ~t the bottom. Both
<br />contain information such as cities and page references
<br />and are an indispensable nav~igational aid. The), also
<br />contribute to the code's thematic look. Headers
<br />should include the name of the chapter and its
<br />number (e.g., Chapter 12: P4rking and Loading
<br />Regulations), The first sectioln number that appears
<br /> Sec.on numbers should
<br />on each page is also useful. ~ '
<br />appear on the feeder's outsid{: edge where they are
<br />most visible when turning pa~es. Section numbers are ·
<br />important because they are uged for cross-referencing
<br />and are usually the most freqt~entl)' referenced
<br />number. A dividing line should separate the bottom
<br />of the header from the text b~ow. ·
<br /> · ~
<br />Footers should contain the't>age number and may
<br />include the section name and {number. Man3' codes
<br />contain a reference to the codei's adoption or amend-
<br />ment date and ordinance number. Ifm~o or more
<br />sections appear on a page, hovCever, this reference does
<br />not help identify the section td which the reference
<br />applies, it also tJreates needlessic}utter.
<br />Where there is a choice between single- and double- ·
<br />column text, a single column is ~referable. A single
<br />column eliminates a center matin. Double columns
<br />make it difiqcuk to incorporate ckrtain tables and graphics.
<br />Margins should be wide enough to allow for
<br />binding and should not cram~ the text. Margins
<br />should be proportional to the .}ype size.
<br />Single spacing is preferable.~ However, double spacing
<br />between number sections and }ubsections creates a clear text
<br />delineation with a less crampe/~ look.
<br />The use of indentations should work tn concert with chapter,
<br />division, and ~ection headings.lEach similar level of subdivision
<br />should follow the same indent{lion line, increased for the next
<br />lower subdivision. Never inderJt just the first line and then
<br />return to the standard margin ~n the following line. This is
<br />standard legal format for man? zoning codes but is confusing to
<br />most people. The position of the margin should visually tell the
<br />reader whether the text is a sec!ion or subsection.
<br />
<br /> Pay careful attention to page numbering. Sequential
<br />numbering starting with page one is the easiest: most books arc
<br />numbered this way. But this creates the need to add decimals to
<br />the page numbers when new pages arc inserted. Unless the
<br />entire code is renumbered following each amendment, this
<br />system becomes increasingly difficult to usc.
<br /> A more flexible method is to number pages sequentially
<br />preceding each page number with a major division or chapter
<br />number. Each major division or chapter should begin on page 1.
<br />Thus, chapter 23 would begin with page 23-1 and follow with page
<br />
<br /> Cross Referencing
<br />
<br />Cross reference all provisions
<br />that rely on or memion other
<br />code provisions.
<br />Avoid referencing ordinance
<br />numbers, except at the end of
<br />each section for historical
<br />purposes only.
<br />All references should include
<br />the lowest section, division,
<br />or chapter number possible.
<br />Don't cite a chapter when a
<br />section is more relevant. Page
<br />references are excellent and
<br />should be used depending on
<br />how amendments affect page
<br />numbering.
<br />All references should include
<br />a number and its full title, for
<br />example, "Section ]2.34·· Site
<br />standards, page 18-3. "
<br />Consider italics for emphasis.
<br />Highlight (bold or italic) all
<br />references to make them
<br />stand out from surrounding
<br />text.
<br />
<br />Minimize use of
<br />"incorporated herein by
<br />reference." include the
<br />referenced laws, regulations,
<br />or standards if they are
<br />frequently used, such as
<br />handicapped parking
<br />standards.
<br />Reference related codes, such
<br />as the subdivision code,
<br />traffic codes, and housing
<br />codes, that ma;' affect zoning
<br />regulations.
<br />
<br />23-2, 23-3, etc. If chapter 23 is
<br />amended by adding new pages, the
<br />chapter can be reprinted without
<br />affecting subsequent chapter numbering.
<br /> Printing the code on both sides of
<br />the paper makes locating information
<br />quicker, saves paper, and may reduce
<br />your printing cost. Be sure that headers
<br />and footers are printed on the outside
<br />edge of alternating pages, a simple task
<br />for most word processing soft,,are.
<br /> Finally, begin each major new
<br />division or chapter on the right-hand
<br />page. This will make the new division
<br />or chapter easier to find.
<br /> Cross Referencing. Proper cross
<br />referencing is critical for easy readabil-
<br />i~'. Cross referencing binds those parts
<br />of the code that depend on one
<br />another, thus avoiding redundant,.
<br /> Many codes ignore cross referencing
<br />altogether, cite only the section or
<br />chapter numbers, or worse, reference
<br />only an ordinance number:
<br />"N'orwithstanding anythi,g in this
<br />chapter, in Secrio, ].7.92.]00, or
<br />ebewhere in this code so the contras.,,
<br />design review decisions of the Cultural
<br />Heritage Commission pursuant w
<br />Chapter ] 7.52 shall be subject to appeal
<br />and/or call for review as prescribed
<br />hereunder for decisions of the JDes~
<br />Review Committee. "Most readers are
<br />not aware of the distinction between
<br />codes, chapters, and sections, a
<br />problem made worse by the lack of
<br />reference titles.
<br /> The trend toward unified codes
<br />underscores both the importance of
<br />cross referencing and the value of
<br />including, rather than referring to,
<br />
<br />related regulations. (See "Zoning and Subdivision Codes,
<br />Unite!", Planning, November 1993).
<br /> Tables and Graphics. Man)' new codes are simplifying the way
<br />zoning district uses and standards are presented. Most are
<br />converting text into rabies and combining separate but similar
<br />zoning districts into single tables. This substantially reduces the
<br />number of pages and makes it easier to answer questions like,
<br />"What zoning districts allow multifamily dwellings?" Tables also
<br />make it easier to include information such as the type of permit
<br />required for each use in each zoning district. Older codes tend to
<br />have separate lists of permitted, conditional, and accessoO, uses
<br />and development standards for each zoning district.
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