This chapter shall be known and cited as the "1971 Amended Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Elmira Heights."

No building, structure (including a swimming pool) or land shall be used or occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, enlarged or structurally altered unless in conformity with the regulations of this chapter. However, this chapter shall not require any change to any building, structure or use legally existing at the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto or to any building, structure or use planned and construction started in compliance with existing laws prior to the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto and completed within a one-year period after the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto, except as provided in § 220-19E.

The regulations and provisions of this chapter shall apply to and affect the Incorporated Village of Elmira Heights.

This chapter is hereby adopted in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan which is adopted to lessen congestion in the streets, to secure safety from fire, panic, floods and other dangers, to promote health and general welfare, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population, to make provisions for, so far as conditions may permit, the accommodation of solar energy systems and equipment and access to sunlight necessary therefor and to facilitate the adequate provisions of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements.

In the interpretation and the application of the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and general welfare. It is not intended to interfere with or abrogate or annul other rules, regulations or ordinances, provided that where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height or bulk of a building or requires larger open spaces, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.