This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Zoning Code for the City of Mason.”

(Ord. No. 152, 5-1-2006)

Pursuant to the authority granted to the City of Mason by the statutes of the State of Michigan and Charter of the City of Mason, the purpose of this zoning chapter is to:

   (1)   Promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare of city inhabitants.

   (2)   Provide for development within the city consistent with the master plan of the city.

   (3)   Protect and enhance the character and the stability of agricultural and open space areas, public recreation areas, residential areas, and nonresidential areas and promote the orderly and beneficial development of such areas.

   (4)   Provide adequate light, air, privacy, and convenience of access to all individual property.

   (5)   Regulate the intensity of land use and determine the area of open space surrounding buildings and structures necessary to protect the public health and provide adequate light and air.

   (6)   Provide safe and improved public highways and streets within the city.

   (7)   Promote healthful surroundings for favorable living conditions and family life in residential areas.

   (8)   Protect public and private land uses from fire, explosion, noxious fumes, odors, excessive heat, dust, smoke, noise, glare, vibration, and other health and safety hazards.

   (9)   Prevent the overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures so far as possible and appropriate in each zoning district by regulating the use and bulk of buildings in relation to the land surrounding them.

   (10)   Enhance the social, economic, and environmental stability of the city to include stabilizing and preserving property and civic values.

   (11)   Provide for compact development of the city through infill of property along existing utility and transportation systems and for compact development along new utility and transportation systems as a means of conserving the expenditure of funds for public improvements and services.

   (12)   Provide for the administration, amendment and enforcement of this chapter, including the collection of fees in furtherance of, and the sanctions for violations of this chapter.

   (13)   Provide for the establishment of zoning districts, the regulation of the use of land within zoning districts and the adoption of a zoning district map.

   (14)   Prescribe the duties and powers of the planning commission.

   (15)   Establish the zoning board of appeals and prescribe the duties and powers of the zoning board of appeals.

   (16)   Provide for appeals and procedures to be followed in the consideration of appeals.

(Ord. No. 152, 5-1-2006)

Zoning districts contained in this chapter each have a defined purpose and are based upon the master plan for future development, improvement, and redevelopment. The districts are sized to be adequate to accommodate long-term needs, and yet must be monitored relative to any necessary changes or updating in the future. While the various regulations limit the use of properties, the chapter provides land owners with a range of choices, flexibility, and options for development and improvement.

(Ord. No. 152, 5-1-2006)

The use of a building, structure, land, or premise as existing and lawful at the time of enactment of this chapter, may be continued subject to provisions of article X of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 152, 5-1-2006)