The full title of this bylaw shall be the "Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Northfield, Massachusetts." This bylaw shall be referred to herein as "this Zoning Bylaw," or "this bylaw."

This Zoning Bylaw is enacted in order to promote the general welfare of the Town of Northfield, to protect the health and safety of its inhabitants, to support the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town, and to further the goals and policies of the Northfield Master Plan, and to preserve and increase the amenities of the Town, consistent with but not limited by the provisions of the Zoning Act, MGL c. 40A, as amended, and Section 2A of Chapter 808 of the Acts of 1975.

This Zoning Bylaw is enacted in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40A, any and all amendments thereto, and Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

All buildings or structures hereinafter erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, enlarged, or modified, and the use of all premises in the Town, shall be in conformity with the provisions of this bylaw. 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 Zoning Bylaw imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this Zoning Bylaw shall control.

This Zoning Bylaw may from time to time be changed by amendment, addition or repeal by the Town Meeting in the manner provided for in MGL c. 40A, § 5.

The invalidity of any section or provision of this Zoning Bylaw shall not invalidate any other section or provision herein.