The Medford Zoning Ordinance ("this chapter") has been enacted to promote the health, safety, morals, convenience and general welfare of its inhabitants, to lessen the danger from fire, congestion, and confusion, and to improve and beautify the city under and pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L.A. Chapter 40A and all amendments thereto the use, construction, and alteration of buildings or structures and the use of premises in said city are hereby restricted and regulated as hereinafter provided, all as authorized by, but not limited to, the provisions of the Zoning Act, General Laws, Chapter 40A, as amended, Section 2A of 1975 Mass. Acts 808, and by Section 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This chapter is enacted in accordance with the provisions of the M.G.L.A. c. 40A, and any and all amendments thereto, and by Section 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

All buildings or structures hereinafter erected, reconstructed, altered, enlarged, or moved, and the use of all premises in the city, shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. No building, structure or land shall be used for any purpose or in any manner other than is expressly permitted within the district in which such building, structure or land is located. Where the application of this chapter imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

This chapter is a further amendment of the zoning ordinance and zoning map adopted October 28, 1925, as amended, and shall be construed to be a continuation of the regulations contained therein, regardless of changes in wording or arrangement, except insofar as amendments constitute changes in meaning. In the event of a discrepancy in meaning as between the ordinance as originally adopted, and later amendments, the meaning in the most recent amendment shall exclusively prevail.

This chapter may from time to time be changed by amendment, addition, or repeal in accordance with the procedures specified in M.G.L.A. c. 40A, § 5, and as herein provided.

94-1.5.1 Submittal. Petitions for proposed changes in this chapter shall be submitted to the city council and may be initiated by the city council, by an individual owning land to be affected by change or adoption, by request of ten registered voters, by the community development board or by the metropolitan area planning council. The city council shall within 14 days of receipt of such proposed zoning ordinance or amendment submit it to the community development board for review.

94-1.5.2 Form of Petition. Petitions for proposed changes to this chapter shall be in writing and shall identify: the petitioner, the specific sections or subsections to be amended, and the manner in which it is proposed to be changed. If an amendment to the zoning map is a subject of a petition, it shall also include a complete description of the property proposed to be changed; and, if the petitioner is not a board of the city acting in their official capacity, be accompanied by plans prepared by a registered professional engineer or registered land surveyor at an appropriate scale. The plans shall show and identify the zoning districts as they appear on the current zoning map, City of Medford Massachusetts, the zoning districts proposed, all property proposed to be changed, and the property immediately adjacent thereto.

94-1.5.3 Fees. The city council may adopt and from time to time amend a schedule of fees and establish a payment procedure except that any board of the city acting in their official capacity shall be exempt from payment of such fee.

94-1.5.4 Plans. The community development board shall within a reasonable time submit all plans to the chief engineer for his approval as to scale, and description of the property and existing zoning information.

Should any section or item of this chapter be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, it is the intention that such decision shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole, or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.