Methuen City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Title, Authority and Purpose
§ 1.1 Short title.
This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of 1989," hereinafter referred to as "this ordinance."
§ 1.2 Authority.
This Zoning Ordinance is enacted in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, and any and all amendments thereto.
§ 1.3 Purpose.
These regulations are enacted to promote the general welfare of the City of Methuen, to protect the health and safety of its inhabitants, to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the City, to preserve the cultural, historical and agricultural heritage of the community, to increase the amenities of the City and to reduce the hazard from fire by regulating the location and use of buildings and the area of open space around them, all as authorized by, but not limited to, the provisions of the Zoning Act, MGL c. 40A, as amended, Section 2A of 1975 Mass. Acts 808, and by Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
§ 1.4 Scope; conflicting provisions.
A.
For these purposes, the construction, repair, alteration, reconstruction, height, number of stories and size of buildings and structures, the size and width of lots, the percentage of lot area that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures and land in the City are regulated as hereinafter provided.
B.
Whenever any requirements hereunder differ from those prescribed by any statute, ordinance or other regulation, the provision which imposes the greatest restriction or higher standard shall govern.
§ 1.5 Applicability.
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 the Zoning Ordinance. No building, structure or land shall be used for any purpose or in any manner other than as expressly permitted within the district in which such building, structure or land is located. Where the application of this ordinance imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this ordinance shall control.
§ 1.6 Amendments.
This ordinance may from time to time be changed by amendment, addition or repeal by the City Council in the manner provided in MGL c. 40A, § 5, and any amendments thereto.
§ 1.7 Severability.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this ordinance shall not invalidate any other section or provision herein.