This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Meriden, 1983."

The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the most appropriate use of land; to conserve and stabilize the value of property; to provide adequate open spaces for light and air; to prevent fires; to prevent undue concentration of population; to facilitate adequate provisions for community utilities and facilities, such as transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements; to promote health, safety and general welfare; and to that end to designate, regulate and restrict the location and use of buildings, structures and land for agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial or other purposes; to regulate and limit the height, size and bulk of buildings and structures hereafter erected or altered; to regulate and determine the size of yards and other spaces; to regulate the percentage of the area of the lots that may be occupied by buildings or structures; and to regulate and limit the density of population; and for said purposes to divide the City into zoning districts of such number, shape and area as may be deemed best suited to carry out this chapter and provide for its enforcement, in accordance with Chapter 124, § 8-2, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.

The designations, locations and boundaries of the zoning districts established are delineated on the map entitled "City of Meriden, Connecticut, Zoning Map," dated January 1, 1966. as amended, which map and all notations and information thereon are hereby made a part of this chapter by reference, and said map is on file in the office of the City Clerk, City of Meriden, Connecticut. Any land within the incorporated limits of the City and not designated or indicated on the Zoning Map shall be placed in the proper zoning district by the Zoning Commission of the City of Meriden, Connecticut.

When interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Except as specifically herein provided, it is not intended by the adoption of this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way to impair or interfere with any existing provisions of law or ordinance or any rules, regulations or permits previously adopted or issued or which shall be adopted or issued pursuant to law relating to the erection, construction, maintenance, establishment, moving, alteration or enlargement of any building or improvement; nor is it intended by this chapter to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between parties; provided, however, that in cases in which this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the erection, construction, maintenance, establishment, moving, alteration or enlargement of buildings, or the use of any such buildings or premises in said several districts or any of them, than is imposed or required by such existing provisions of law or ordinance or by such rules, regulations or permits or by such easements, covenants or agreements, then in such case the provisions of this chapter shall control.