This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promotion of the health, safety, and general welfare of the community; lessening congestion in the streets, securing safety from fire, panic and other dangers; providing adequate light and air; preventing the overcrowding of land; avoiding undue concentration of population; facilitating the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks, and other public requirements; conserving the value of buildings, and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the community; and promoting the development of the community in accordance with the comprehensive plan.

As concerns interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements. Where this chapter imposes a greater restriction than is imposed or required by other provisions of rules or regulations or ordinance, the provision of this chapter shall control. Terms and words are to be used and interpreted as defined in article 14.03 of this chapter. Words used in the present tense include the future; the singular shall include the plural, and the plural the singular; the word “building” shall mean as well the word “structure”; and the word “shall” is mandatory and not directory, except where the natural construction of the writing indicates otherwise.

This chapter shall be in full force and effect in the corporate limits of the City of Canadian, Texas. Territory annexed to the corporate limits of the City of Canadian, Texas, subsequent to the effective date of this chapter shall immediately be subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall be deemed to be designated as A-G General Agricultural district [S-1 General Suburban District] until altered or reclassified in the manner provided by law.

In case any portion of this chapter shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this chapter shall not thereby be invalid, but shall remain in full force and effect.

Any ordinance now in effect that conflicts or is inconsistent with any provision of this chapter is hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.