This Ordinance, in accordance with the authority granted by the State of Texas in TITLE 7, CHAPTER 211, of the Local Government Code, shall be known and may be cited as PART 1 of the Hempstead Unified Development Code, or the Hempstead Zoning Ordinance.

The Hempstead Zoning Ordinance is specifically aimed at protecting the public health, safety, morals, and the general welfare of the citizens of the City. The regulations are necessary to encourage the most appropriate use of land; to reduce fire hazards and to improve public safety; to decrease traffic congestion and its accompanying hazards; to prevent the undue concentration of population; to bring existing and future land use activities into conformance with the City's long-range land use plans; to create a comprehensive and stable pattern of land uses; to maintain and stabilize property values; to develop an efficient and effective basis upon which to provide services for water supply, sanitary and storm sewer systems, natural gas, pedestrian and automobile circulation, schools, parks, and other public facilities.

This Ordinance classifies and regulates the use of land and structures within the city limits of Hempstead, as hereinafter set forth. Except as hereinafter provided, no land may be used and no structure may be erected, constructed, moved, altered, enlarged, or rebuilt unless it shall be used and maintained in accordance with the requirements established for the district in which the structure is to be located, and in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance as they pertain to districts.

The regulations contained herein have been developed in accordance with a long-range planning program for the orderly growth and development of the City of Hempstead. This Ordinance has been designed to incorporate and implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the City of Hempstead.

This Ordinance takes effect upon adoption by the City Council. Upon that date and thereafter, the provisions of this Ordinance supersede all other development regulations governing the development of land within Hempstead. All development applications and proposals filed on or after the effective date of this Ordinance, whether for new developments or for additions or expansions of existing developments, shall be processed in accordance with the standards and requirements and pursuant to the procedures herein established, except insofar as such applications are governed by the development regulations adopted prior to the effective date of this Ordinance.

All sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phases of this Ordinance are severable, and if any such section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase is declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid in any court of competent jurisdiction in a valid judgment or decree, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not cause any remaining section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance to fail or become inoperative.