Building regulations. These regulations limit the height, bulk and location of buildings hereafter erected, standardize the area of yards, courts and other open spaces, and determine the density of population in any given area and for said purposes to divide the City into districts. Such regulations shall be uniform for each class of buildings throughout any district, but the regulations in one or more districts may differ from those in other districts. Such regulations shall be designed to secure safety from fire, flood and other dangers and to promote the public health and welfare, including, so far as conditions may permit, provision for adequate light, air, convenience of access, and the accommodation of solar energy systems and equipment and access to sunlight necessary therefor, and shall be made with reasonable regard to the character of buildings erected in each district, the value of land and the use to which it may be put, to the end that such regulations may promote public health, safety and welfare and the most desirable use for which the land of each district may be adapted and may tend to conserve the value of buildings and enhance the value of land throughout the City.

Land use regulations. These regulations restrict the location of trades and industries and the location of buildings designed for specified uses and for said purposes to divide the City into districts and to prescribe for each such district the trades and industries that shall be excluded or subjected to special regulation and the uses for which buildings may not be erected or altered. Such regulations shall be designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and shall be made with reasonable consideration, among other things, of the character of the district, its suitability for particular uses, the conservation of property values and the direction of building development, in accord with a well-considered plan.

Territorial applicability. This chapter shall apply to all lands, structures, and uses within the corporate limits of the City of Auburn.

General applicability. All buildings and structures hereafter erected or placed, and all uses of land or buildings or structures hereafter established, all structural alterations or relocations of existing buildings or structures and all enlargements or relocations of existing uses shall be subject to the regulations of this chapter. Existing buildings, structures, and uses which do not comply with the regulations of this chapter shall be allowed to continue subject to the provisions of this chapter relating to nonconformities.

General prohibition. No building or structure, no use of any building, structure or land, and no lot now or hereafter existing shall hereafter be established, altered, moved, divided, or maintained in any manner except as authorized by the provisions of this chapter.

Exceptions. Routine maintenance of existing structures and the following essential utility uses are exempt from the provisions of this chapter: poles, wires, cables, conduits, vaults, laterals, pipes, mains, valves or any other similar equipment, but not including substations located on or above the surface of the ground, for the distribution to consumers of telephone, cable television or other communications, electricity, gas or water or for the collection of sewage or surface water.

Private agreements. This chapter is not intended to abrogate, annul or otherwise interfere with any easement, covenant or other private agreement or legal relationship; provided, however, that where the regulations of this chapter are more restrictive or impose a higher standard than such easements, covenants, or other private agreements or legal relationships, the regulations of this chapter shall govern.

Conflict with other standards. Should any standard herein established conflict with a similar standard herein, or a similar standard established by another governmental agency, then the more restrictive standard shall apply.