This chapter divides the Town into zoning districts and establishes rules for the use of land in the various districts. The districts themselves are described in Article III. The boundaries of the districts are reflected on the Zoning Map, which is a part of the Zoning Law. The official copy of the Zoning Map is kept on file in the office of the Town Clerk, and an unofficial, smaller copy of the Zoning Map is attached to copies of this chapter.

This chapter also creates "overlay" districts, which are special districts designed primarily to protect special resources from inappropriate development and to maintain the Town's character and natural resources. Examples of these overlay districts are the Historic Overlay District and the (Delaware River) River Overlay District. The provisions of these overlay districts apply in addition to those of the underlying land use districts. Standards and requirements specific to the overlay districts are set forth at Article III.

The chapter includes a Use Table which describes, by zoning district, what restrictions and requirements are generally applicable to certain land uses. The Use Table is set forth at Article XI. Some uses are allowed so long as a zoning permit, building permit, and/or a certificate of occupancy is obtained. Some uses require a special use permit and/or site plan approval, and some uses are not permitted at all, either within certain districts or throughout the entire Town. When a use is not specified in the Use Table as being permitted, that use is prohibited. Section 250-12A explains the meanings of the symbols used in the Use Table, and § 250-10 contains definitions of certain of the uses and other terms contained in the Use Table.

The Use Table also sets forth, again by zoning districts, generally applicable dimensional regulations and requirements such as required yard setbacks, height restrictions, maximum allowable lot coverage, and maximum allowable lot clearing.

It is very important to understand that the provisions of the Use Table are always subject to and limited by any restrictions imposed by any applicable overlay district requirement (see Article III), by any applicable general supplementary regulations (see Article V) and special supplementary regulations (see Article VI), and by the various other provisions of the Zoning Law, such as Article X, which explicitly prohibits certain uses anywhere and everywhere throughout the Town.

General and specific supplementary regulations (Articles V and VI) contain additional requirements for specific types of uses and structures (such as home-based occupations, care cottages, signs, lighting and parking, and certain non-fossil-fuel energy sources such as solar collectors), as well as performance standards for all development.

Article IV contains rules for allowing the continuation of lots, structures and uses that were legal under previous regulations but do not conform to this chapter. This is sometimes referred to as "grandfathering."

Section 250-18 introduces the concept of conservation subdivisions - also known as "cluster development" - which preserve open space by concentrating development on a portion of a parcel.

Articles VII, VIII and IX explain the procedures for obtaining various types of permits from the Town, including zoning permits, building permits, and certificates of occupancy from the Code Enforcement Officer; site plan and special use permit approval from the Planning Board; and appeals and variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Section 250-56 describes the penalties and consequences of violating the Zoning Law.

Article X sets forth certain uses that are explicitly prohibited in each and every zoning district within the Town. Violations of Article X are considered a threat to public health, safety and welfare, and are deemed to be a public nuisance.