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RELEVANT LINKS: <br />B. Drafting a readable zoning ordinance <br />Zoning ordinances can be lengthy documents, but from the first to last page, <br />emphasis should be placed upon drafting a well organized ordinance that <br />communicates clearly. A good zoning ordinance: <br />• Makes information easy to find. <br />• Is easy to administer and amend. <br />• Uses plain, well- defined language that reduces the potential for <br />erroneous or controversial interpretations. <br />1. Suggestions for drafting a readable zoning <br />ordinance: <br />• Use graphics, tables, maps and illustrations wherever possible. <br />• Use a consistent numbering system or other system of organization. <br />• Define terms, words, and phrases, preferably in a separate "definitions" <br />section, so that there is minimal need for interpretation of the text. <br />• Pick terms and use terms consistently. For example do not interchange <br />the word "residence," with "house," "dwelling" and "single - family <br />home." Instead, pick your preferred term, define the term in your <br />definitions section and use the same term throughout the ordinance. <br />• Avoid legalese such as "aforesaid," "hereby," and "herewith." <br />• Avoid archaic and /or potentially offensive terms. For example using, <br />"trailer court" instead of "manufactured home park" or "old folks home" <br />instead of "residential living facility." <br />• Avoid establishing too many districts and other impractical complexity. <br />• Be careful about copying neighboring cities' zoning provisions, <br />especially in a piece -meal manner. A zoning ordinance fitting one <br />community may be a bad fit for another. When only portions of an <br />ordinance are copied and utilized, terms and definitions may not remain <br />consistent. <br />2. The importance of clear, unambiguous ordinance <br />language <br />The unfortunate consequence of unclear or ambiguous language in a zoning <br />ordinance is public controversy and loss of efficiency. In some instances, a <br />city may find itself in court simply on the issue of whether the city <br />interpreted its own ambiguous ordinance correctly. In the past the courts <br />have been asked to resolve controversies over such undefined terms in an <br />ordinance as: <br />League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 9/10/2012 <br />Zoning Guide for Cities Page 8 <br />