The purpose of the Critical Rural District is to designate an area deserving maximum protection from residential development, to preserve natural resources and related economic activities including farming and forestry, and to protect high-value wildlife habitat and open lands. All of these purposes together serve to support a vibrant rural economy.

The location and boundaries of the Critical Rural District are established as shown on the Official Zoning Map and are a part of this chapter.

Except for legal nonconformities, buildings or land used or occupied, lots created, and buildings erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered, whether requiring a land use permit or not, must comply with the requirements of Articles XVII and XVIII (general and specific performance standards) of this chapter and the following dimensional requirements:

The permitted uses are those indicated in Article V of this chapter.