The purpose of this bylaw is to lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve health; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic, and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to encourage housing for persons of all income levels; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water supply, drainage, schools, parks, open space, and other public requirements; to conserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town, including consideration of the recommendations of the Master Plan, if any, adopted by the Bellingham Planning Board and the Comprehensive Plan, if any, of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council; and to preserve and increase amenities; pursuant to Chapters 40A, 40B, and 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws as amended, and Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution.

This bylaw shall be enforced by the Inspector of Buildings, who shall take such action as may be necessary to enforce full compliance with the provisions of this bylaw and of permits and variances issued hereunder, including notification of noncompliance and request for legal action through the Board of Selectmen to the Town Counsel.

No "development" shall be undertaken without certification by the Inspector of Buildings that such action is in compliance with then applicable zoning or without review by him regarding whether all necessary permits have been received from those governmental agencies from which approval is required by federal, state, or local law. Issuance of a building permit or certificate of use and occupancy, where required under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Building Code, may serve as such certification. "Development" for these purposes shall mean erecting, moving, substantially altering or changing the use of a building, sign, or other structure, or changing the principal use of land.

In addition to any information which may be required under the Massachusetts State Building Code, the Inspector of Buildings shall require of applicants such information as he deems necessary to determine compliance with this Zoning Bylaw. This may include such things as a site plan indicating land and building uses and provisions for vehicular parking and egress, location of floodplain control elevations, and evidence of performance compliance under Article IX, Environmental Controls.

Construction or operations under a building or special permit shall conform to any subsequent amendment of this bylaw unless the use or construction is commenced within a period of six months after the issuance of the permit and, in cases involving construction, unless such construction is continued through to completion as continuously and expeditiously as is reasonable.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this bylaw, any of the conditions under which a permit is issued, or any decision rendered by the Board of Appeals shall be fined not more than $100 for each offense. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

This bylaw may from time to time be changed by amendment, addition or repeal by the Town Meeting in the manner provided in M.G.L. ch. 40A, § 5, and any amendments therein.

Where the application of this bylaw imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this bylaw shall control.

The effective date of any amendment of this Zoning Bylaw shall be the date on which such amendment was voted upon by a Town Meeting, as provided by M.G.L. ch. 40A, § 5.

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