This bylaw shall be known as the "Charlton Zoning Bylaw."

The purpose of this bylaw is to promote the health, safety, convenience, amenity and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Charlton, through encouraging the most appropriate use of the land as authorized by Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as amended, with the objective as follows:

To preserve health; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to lessen congestion in the streets and ways; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to recognize the need for housing for persons of all income levels; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, schools, parks, open space, and other public requirements; to preserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources, protection of aquifers, and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town, including consideration of Town plans and programs, and to preserve and increase amenities.

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

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

This bylaw may from time to time be changed by amendments, additions, or repeal by the Town Meeting in the manner provided in Chapters 40A and 808 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and any amendment therein.

Upon its effective date, this bylaw shall repeal and be substituted for the following bylaws of the Town of Charlton: 1) the bylaw adopted under Article 17 of the warrant for the July 24, 1965 Special Town Meeting and amended under Article 27 of the warrant for the May 31, 1979 Annual Town Meeting, 2) Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the bylaw adopted under Article 19 of the warrant for the April 4, 1981 Annual Town Meeting, 3) Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the bylaw adopted under Article 18 of the warrant for the April 2, 1983 Annual Town Meeting, and Section 2 of the bylaw adopted under Article 30 of the warrant for the April 5, 1986 Annual Town Meeting.

This bylaw, upon its effective date, shall not affect such rights or duties that have matured, penalties that were incurred, proceedings that were begun or appointments made before its effective date, pursuant to the previously effective bylaws, except as provided by Chapter 40A of the General Laws of Massachusetts.