The purpose of this chapter is to regulate and restrict the use of land and buildings by dividing the city into districts; defining certain terms used therein; imposing regulations, prohibitions and special use restrictions governing the erection, construction, reconstruction of structures and buildings and lands to be used for business, industry, residence, social, and other specified purposes; regulating and limiting the height and bulk of buildings and other structures and regulating and limiting lot occupancy and the size of yards and other open spaces; regulating and limiting the density of population; establishing floor space requirements to assure adequate light and ventilation of buildings; limiting congestion upon the public streets by providing for the off-street parking and loading of vehicles; providing for the gradual elimination of nonconforming uses of land, buildings and structures through purchase, condemnation, or otherwise; creating a board of zoning appeals, defining and limiting the powers and duties of the board, and setting standards to guide actions of the board; providing for administration of this chapter and for amendments, supplements, or changes thereto; providing for resolvement of conflicts with the state housing code or other acts, ordinances, or regulations; and providing penalties for violation of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 442, § 1.1, 8-19-81)

In accordance with the authority and intent of Act No. 207 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1921 (MCL 125.581 et seq.), as amended, the city desires to provide for the orderly development of the city, consistent with the city's comprehensive development plan, which is essential to the well-being of the city, and which will place no undue burden upon developers, industry, commerce, or residents. The city further desires to meet the needs of the city's residents for food, fiber, energy and other natural resources, places of residence, recreation, industry, trade, service, and other uses of land; to ensure that uses of the land shall be situated in appropriate locations and relationships to limit the inappropriate overcrowding of land and congestion of population and transportation systems and other public facilities; to facilitate adequate and efficient provisions for transportation systems, sewage disposal, water, energy, education, recreation, and other public service and facility needs; and to promote public health, safety, and welfare of the residents, shoppers, and workers in the city.

(Ord. No. 442, § 1.2, 8-19-81)

This chapter is adopted pursuant to Act No. 207 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1921 (MCL 125.581 et seq.), as amended. Such Act is hereby made a part of this chapter just as if it were word for word repeated herein.

(Ord. No. 442, § 1.3, 8-19-81)

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the zoning ordinance of the city.

(Ord. No. 442, § 1.4, 8-19-81)

The following rules of construction apply to the text of this chapter:

(1)

The particular shall control the general.

(2)

In the case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this chapter and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.

(3)

The word "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary. The word "may" is permissive and discretionary.

(4)

Words used in the present tense shall include the future; and words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

(5)

A building or structure includes any part thereof.

(6)

The phrase "used for" includes arranged for, designed for, intended for, maintained for, or occupied for.

(7)

The word "person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an incorporated association, or any other similar entity.

(8)

Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, where a regulation involves two or more items, conditions, provisions, or events connected by the conjunction "and," "or," or "either … or," the conjunction shall be interpreted as follows:

a.

"And" indicates that all the connected items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply.

b.

"Or" indicates that the connected items, conditions, or provisions, or events may apply singly or in any combination.

(9)

Terms not herein defined shall have the meaning customarily assigned to them.

(Ord. No. 442, § 1.5, 8-19-81)

Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.