A violation of this chapter is hereby declared to be an offense, punishable by a fine not exceeding $750 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. Such violation shall not be a crime, and the penalty or punishment imposed shall not be deemed for any purpose a penal or criminal penalty or punishment, and shall not impose any liability upon or affect or impair the credibility as a witness, or otherwise, of any person convicted thereof. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate, additional violation for which no further notice of any kind needs to be filed.

Injunctive relief. In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted or maintained, or any building, structure or land is used, or any land is divided into lots, blocks, or sites in violation of this chapter, the proper local authorities of the Town, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance, use or division of land, to restrain, correct or abate such violation, to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.

No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.

No building or structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height; to accommodate or house a greater number of dwelling units; to occupy a greater percentage of lot area; or to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces than are herein specified for the district in which it is located or in regulations applicable to all districts.

No part of a yard or open space required about any building or structure for the purpose of complying with this code shall be included as part of a yard or open space similarly required for another building or structure.

Uses not permitted. All uses not specifically permitted in a district by right or permitted upon issuance of a site plan or special permit approval shall be deemed prohibited in that district. A use not clearly addressed by this code may have its status determined by an interpretation of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, subject to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, or may be added to the Zoning Code by adoption of a text amendment by the Town Board.

Existing buildings and uses. This code shall not apply to an existing building or structure, nor to the existing use of any building, structure or land to the extent it was legally established or legally used at the time of enactment of this code. The terms of this code shall apply to any subsequent change in use, alterations, extension or movement of a building or structure and to any change in use of land.

Types of zoning reviews. For purposes of general understanding, a permitted use or structure is allowed in a zone district and does not require discretionary review or approval by any Town board. Permitted uses may require a building permit or certificate of occupancy for certain activities. A variance is a waiver of the applicable use or dimensional controls and requires Zoning Board of Appeals approval. Site plan or special permit reviews are for uses or structures which are allowed, but, due to their nature, necessitate discretionary Board review; such review includes but is not limited to elements of size, site design, intensity of use and character. To determine the type of review for a specific use or structure, consult Article III, Zone Districts, Article IV, Supplemental Regulations, and Article V, Administration.

Changes in use (changes in land use). Properties and structures are anticipated by this code to periodically change. Changes in ownership or simple occupancy will not normally require Zoning Code review or approval if there are no accompanying physical changes and if there are no changes in land use. A change in land use is a change from one land use to another as defined in this code. (Examples include: a retail store changed to an office; a warehouse changed to a wholesale use.) Changes in land use require review and approval as required by this code as if there was new or modified construction.