This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:

(1)

Protecting the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience and general welfare of the property, present and future residents of the city and surrounding environs.

(2)

Preserving the rural character of the city and preventing overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures by regulating the use of land and buildings in relation to the capacity of the land and buildings surrounding them.

(3)

Dividing the city into zones and districts, restricting and regulating therein the location and use of structures and land.

(4)

Promoting the efficient and orderly development of the residential, agricultural, business, industrial, recreational and public land uses.

(5)

Providing adequate light, air, and convenience of access to property.

(6)

Preserving and protecting the quiet, peaceful enjoyment and habitability of the community.

(7)

Limiting congestion in the public rights-of-way and securing safety from fire and other dangers.

(8)

Providing for the compatibility of existing and future land uses.

(9)

Protecting and guiding the development of rural areas.

(10)

Conserving and protecting natural resources.

(11)

Protecting and preserving economically viable agricultural land.

(12)

Preserving the quality and capacity of wetlands and flood storage areas to store, carry, purify, and discharge waters.

(13)

Promoting the efficient utilization of roads and public infrastructure.

(14)

Conserving the natural and scenic beauty and attractiveness of roadsides.

(15)

Providing for the administration of this chapter and amendments thereto.

(16)

Defining the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies.

(17)

Prescribing penalties for the violation of the provisions of this chapter or any amendment thereto.

(Prior Code, ch. 1302)

The language set forth in the text of this chapter shall be interpreted in accordance with the following rules of construction:

(1)

Any use not herein expressly provided as a permitted use, conditional use or accessory use is hereby expressly prohibited, unless such use is sufficiently similar to an allowed use as determined by the city council.

(2)

All measured distances expressed in feet shall be to the nearest tenth of a foot. In the event of conflicting provisions, the more restrictive provision shall apply.

(Prior Code chs. 1304, 1308, subd. 1 (C))

(a)

Except as in this chapter specifically provided, no structure shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or altered, and no structure or land shall be used for any purpose or in any manner which is not in conformity with this chapter.

(b)

From and after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, the use of all land and every building or portion of a building erected, altered in respect to height and area, added to, or relocated, and every use within a building or use accessory thereto, in the city shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Any existing building or structure and any existing use or properties not in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed shall be regarded as nonconforming, but may be continued, extended or changed, subject to the special regulations herein provided with respect to nonconforming properties or uses.

(c)

The city council or the planning commission, on its own initiative or upon request, may conduct a study to determine if a use which is neither allowed nor prohibited is acceptable and, if so, what zoning district would be most appropriate and the conditions and standards relating to development of the use. The city council, planning commission or property owner, if appropriate, may initiate the consideration of an amendment to this chapter to provide for the particular use under consideration or shall find that the use is not compatible for development within the city.

(Prior Code, ch. 1308, subd. 1)

It is the policy of the city that the enforcement, amendment, and administration of this chapter be accomplished in accordance with goals, objectives, policies and exhibits contained in the comprehensive plan as developed and amended from time to time by the city council.

(Prior Code, ch. 1308, subd. 2)