The Incorporated Village of Lancaster is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:

Wherever districts are referred to as "more restrictive" or "less restrictive," the designation shall refer to the order in which the districts are named above, the first named being the most restrictive and so on.

Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets or highways, street lines or highway right-of-way lines, such center lines, street lines or highway right-of-way lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

Where district boundaries are so indicated that they approximately follow the lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be said boundaries.

Where district boundaries are so indicated that they are approximately parallel to the center lines or street lines of streets, such boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distance therefrom as indicated on the Zoning Map. If no distance is given, such dimension shall be determined by the use of the scale shown on said Zoning Map.

Where the boundary of a district follows a railroad line, such boundary shall be deemed to be located in the middle of the main tracks of said railroad line.

No building, other structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no building or other structure or parts thereof shall be erected, relocated, altered, extended or enlarged unless in conformity with the use, height and bulk regulations specified herein for the district in which such building, other structure or land is located and in conformity with all other regulations of this chapter.

No lot area shall be reduced or diminished so that the yards or other open space thereon shall be less than prescribed by this chapter, nor shall the density of population be increased in any manner except in conformity with area requirements herein established. If, at the time of adoption of this chapter or of any subsequent amendments increasing the area or open space requirements, the lot area or required open spaces are less than the minimum required by this chapter, such area or open space shall not be further reduced.

No yard or other open space provided on one lot for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be considered as providing a yard or open space required on any other lot.

Parcels designated as historic landmarks or included within historic districts. Except as may be otherwise expressly stated herein, this chapter shall not be deemed to supersede, preempt or modify Chapter 184 of the Code relating to historic districts and landmarks. Properties identified as historic landmarks and/or included within historic districts as provided at Chapter 184 of the Code shall also be subject to the provisions of Chapter 184.

Contiguous parcels. When two or more parcels of land, each of which lacks adequate area and dimension to qualify for a permitted use under the requirements of the use district in which they are located, are contiguous and are held in one ownership, they shall be used as one lot for such use.

The regulations of this chapter shall not be so construed as to limit or interfere with the dedication, development or use of any land or building for public parks, public playgrounds or public schools required for compulsory education or with the use of land or buildings owned by the United States Government, the State of New York, the County of Erie or the Village or the Town of Lancaster and used for governmental purposes or with the construction, installation, operation and maintenance for public utility purposes of water or gas pipes, mains or conduits, electric light or electric power transmission lines or distribution lines, telephone or telegraph lines, oil pipelines, steam transmission lines, sewers, sewer mains or railroad right-of-way existing or hereafter authorized by the State of New York, the County of Erie or the Village of Lancaster.

These exceptions, however, shall not be interpreted to permit yards, garages or other buildings for service or storage by said public utilities which are otherwise permitted by this chapter in appropriate districts.

Construction of the foundation shall have commenced prior to the nonconforming date and construction thereafter is diligently prosecuted; or

The Board of Appeals makes a finding that substantial expenditures have been made or substantial financial obligations have been incurred for such nonconforming building or structure prior to the nonconforming date.

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be considered to be minimum requirements to promote and protect public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity and other aspects of the general welfare.

Whenever any provision of this chapter is at variance or conflict with any other provision of this chapter or any other statute, local ordinance or regulation covering any of the same subject matter, the most restrictive provision or the one imposing the higher standard shall govern.

If any use could be construed to be incorporated within a more general use listing, the more specific listing, if any, shall control.

No use shall be permitted in any zoning district unless stated to be permitted in a specific or general permitted use listing for such zoning district.

Temporary structures or uses incidental to construction work, including a nonilluminated sign, not exceeding 64 square feet in area, of any contractor, engineer or architect, shall be permitted, provided that any structure shall be removed forthwith upon the completion or abandonment of the construction work. Any extension of such time limit shall require the approval of the Village Board of Trustees.

The temporary use of a dwelling as a model home for a period of time not to exceed three months.

Any temporary structure or use permitted by the Village Board of Trustees, provided the following findings are made:

Surfacing. Every automotive use area and access driveway thereto shall be surfaced with a durable and dustless material and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water accumulation.

Lighting. Any fixture used to illuminate an automotive use area shall be so arranged as to direct the light away from the street and from adjoining premises.

Screening. Every automotive use area, except off-street parking areas for less than five vehicles, shall be screened from any adjoining lot, including lots situated across the street, as follows:

Access. No entrance or exit to any automotive use area shall be permitted within 30 feet of any intersecting street lines and, except for off-street parking areas for uses permitted in any R District requiring less than 10 parking spaces, no entrance or exit shall be permitted within 10 feet of a lot in any R District. Access to automotive use areas, except for off-street parking areas in R Districts for less than 10 vehicles, shall be approved by the Building Inspector and shall be so arranged that vehicles shall not back into a street.

Restriction. No automotive use area shall be used for auto wrecking or for the storage of wrecked, partially dismantled or junked vehicles or equipment or motor vehicles which do not qualify for New York State motor vehicle registration.

Restriction on location. No portion of a lot shall be used as an automotive use area if such usage at that location would violate the provisions of § 350-32 of this Code.