This bylaw shall be known as the "Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Ayer, Massachusetts," hereinafter referred to as "this bylaw."

This bylaw is adopted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as amended, and by Article 89 of the Massachusetts Constitution, the Home Rule Amendment, to regulate the use of land, buildings, and structures to the full extent of the constitutional powers of cities and towns to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the Town.

The purposes of this bylaw are to promote the general welfare of the Town of Ayer; to protect the health and safety of its inhabitants; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town; to provide for adequate light and clean air, and to limit pollution; to preserve the natural, historical, scenic, and aesthetic qualities of the Town; to encourage preservation of historic land uses and structures; to increase the amenities of the Town; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space and other public requirements; to further the goals and policies of the Ayer Comprehensive/Master Plan; and to reduce the hazard from fire by regulating the location and use of buildings and the area of open space around them.

All buildings or structures hereafter erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, enlarged, or modified, and the use of all premises in the Town, shall be in conformity with the provisions of these bylaws. No building, structure, or land shall be used for any purpose or in any manner other than as expressly permitted within the district in which such building, structure, or land is located. Where the application of this Zoning Bylaw imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this Zoning Bylaw shall control.

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this bylaw shall be held to be minimum requirements. Whenever the requirements of this bylaw are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted regulations or bylaws, the most restrictive or the one imposing the highest standards shall govern.

This Zoning Bylaw may from time to time be changed by amendment, addition or repeal by the Town Meeting in the manner provided for in MGL c. 40A, § 5.

The invalidity of any section or provision of this bylaw shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.