This title shall be known, cited and referred to as the JERSEYVILLE ZONING CODE. (1996 Code app. A § 1)

This title is adopted for the following purposes:

   A.   To promote and protect the public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the people;

   B.   To divide the city into zones or districts restricting and regulating therein the location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration and use of buildings, structures and land for residence, business, manufacturing and other specific uses;

   C.   To protect the character and the stability of the residential, business and manufacturing areas within the city and to promote the orderly and beneficial development of such areas;

   D.   To provide adequate light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property;

   E.   To regulate the intensity of use of lot areas, and to determine the area of open spaces surrounding buildings necessary to provide adequate light and air to protect the public health;

   F.   To establish building lines and the location of buildings designed for residential, business, manufacturing or other uses within such areas;

   G.   To fix reasonable standards to which buildings or structures shall conform therein;

   H.   To prohibit uses, buildings or structures incompatible with the character of development or intended uses within specified zoning districts;

   I.   To prevent additions to, or alterations or remodeling of, existing buildings or structures in such a way as to avoid the restrictions and limitations imposed hereunder;

   J.   To limit congestion in the public streets and protect the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare by providing for the off street parking of motor vehicles and the loading of commercial vehicles;

   K.   To protect against fire, explosion, noxious fumes and other hazards in the interest of the public health, safety, comfort and general welfare;

   L.   To prevent the overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures, so far as is possible and appropriate in each district, by regulating the use and bulk of buildings in relation to the land surrounding them;

   M.   To conserve the taxable value of land and buildings throughout the city;

   N.   To provide for the elimination of nonconforming uses of land, buildings and structures which are adversely affecting the character and value of desirable development in each district; and

   O.   To define and limit the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies as provided herein. (1996 Code app. A § 2)

   A.   No building or structure shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose other than is permitted in the district in which the building or land is located. (1996 Code app. A § 5.1)

   B.   No application for a building permit or other permit or license, or for a certificate of occupancy, shall be approved by the administrative officer of this title, and no permit or license shall be issued by any other city department which would authorize the use or change in use of any land or building contrary to the provisions of this title or the erection, moving, alteration, enlargement or occupancy of any building designed or intended to be used for a purpose or in a manner contrary to the provisions of this title. (1996 Code app. A § 5.2)

   C.   In interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the safety, health, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare. The adoption of this title is not intended to amend or repeal any ordinance, rules or regulations previously adopted and not in conflict with any of the provisions of this title; nor is it intended by the adoption of this title to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreements between parties; except, that where this title imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height of buildings or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by such other ordinances or such easements, covenants or other agreements, the provisions of this title shall control. (1996 Code app. A § 16; amd. 2010 Code)

   D.   Nothing in this title shall prevent the continuance of the present occupancy or lawful use of any existing building or zoning lot except as may be necessary for the safety of life and property, and except as provided in this section and chapter 5 of this title. (1996 Code app. A § 14.2-4)

   E.   Should any section, clause or provision of this title be declared by the courts to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the title as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid. (1996 Code app. A § 19)