This bylaw shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Bylaw for the Town of Norfolk, Massachusetts" and is adopted by virtue of and pursuant to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 40A, as amended by Chapter 808 of the Acts of 1975, as amended.

The purpose of the Zoning Bylaw is to lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve health; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic, or other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space and other public requirements; to conserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town, including consideration of the recommendations of the Master Plan, if any, adopted by the Planning Board and the comprehensive plan, if any, of the regional planning agency; and to preserve and increase amenities by the promulgation of regulations to fulfill said objectives.

The provisions of this bylaw shall be interpreted to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the health, safety, or the general welfare of the Town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. The provisions of this bylaw are not intended to repeal, amend, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with any lawfully adopted law, statute, ordinance, bylaws, covenants, regulations or rules. Whenever the regulations made under the authority hereof differ from those prescribed by any law, statute, ordinance, bylaw or other regulations, that provision which imposes the greater restriction or the higher standard shall govern.

Except as herein provided, or as specifically exempted by a "shall clause" of the Zoning Act,[1] the provisions of this bylaw shall apply to the following: the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or use of buildings and structures or use of land.