No building shall be erected, moved, altered, rebuilt or enlarged, nor shall any land or building be used, designed or arranged to be used, for any purpose other than as specified in this chapter for the district in which such building or land is located.

In interpreting and applying this chapter, the requirements contained herein are declared to be the minimum requirements for the protection of the public health, morals, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where the provisions of any other statute, bylaw, ordinance or regulation require a greater width or size of yards or other open spaces or a lower height of building or a fewer number of stories or a greater percentage of lot area to be left unoccupied or otherwise impose greater restrictions than are required by this chapter, the provisions of such statute, bylaw, ordinance or regulation shall govern.

Lot for every building. Every building hereafter erected shall be located on a lot herein as defined, and there shall be no more than one building on one lot, except as specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter. If more than one lot is located on a piece of property, each lot must meet the requirements of this chapter.

Subdivision of a lot. Where a lot is hereafter formed from the part of a lot already occupied by a building, such separation shall be effected in such manner that each lot thus created conforms to all of the requirements of this chapter.

Irregularly shaped lots. Where a question exists as to the proper application of any of the requirements of this chapter to a particular lot or parcel because of the peculiar or irregular shape of the lot or parcel, the Board of Appeals shall determine how the requirements of this chapter shall be applied.

Visibility at intersections. On a corner lot, no fence, wall, hedge or other structure or planting more than three feet in height shall be erected, placed or maintained within the triangular area formed by the intersecting street right-of-way lines and straight line joining said street right-of-way lines at points which are 30 feet distant from the point of intersection, measured along said street right-of-way line. The height of three feet shall be measured above the road surface at the nearest edge of road traveled way. This subsection shall not apply to existing trees, provided that no branches are closer than six feet to the ground.

Lots in two or more districts. Where a lot in one ownership of record is divided by one or more district boundary lines, the regulations for the less restricted portion of such lot shall not extend more than 50 feet into the more restricted portion.

Lots under water or subject to flooding. Not more than 10% of the minimum area requirement of a lot may be fulfilled by land which is under water or subject to periodic flooding. All minimum front, side and rear yard requirements must be satisfied by measurement on dry land. For purposes of this subsection, land which is in a stream not exceeding 15 feet in width or 150 square feet in area at mean water level shall not be considered as under water.

New buildings on lots less than the minimum area. A permit may be issued for the erection of a building on a lot or parcel for which a valid conveyance has been recorded or contract of sale has been signed and the conveyance recorded prior to the adoption of this chapter, notwithstanding that the area of such lot or parcel is less than that required for the district in which such parcel or lot lies.

Yard for every building. No part of a yard or other open space provided about any building or on any lot for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be included as any part of the yard or open space for any other building or any other lot.

Obstructions in yards. No buildings or structures or any projection from buildings or structures shall be permitted in a required yard, except as follows:

Yard requirements on corner lots.[2] On a corner lot, there shall be provided a side yard on a side street equal in depth to the required front yard. A rear yard shall be provided on each corner lot, and the property owner shall elect which yard is the rear yard.

They shall not extend more than 20 feet above the roof.

The total area covered by such features shall not exceed 10% of the area of the roof upon which they are located.

Parapets and cornices, used for ornamentation and without windows, shall not extend more than five feet above the roof.

Accessory buildings. If an accessory building is attached to a main building, including attachment by means of a breezeway or a roofed passageway, it shall comply, in all respects, to the requirements of this chapter applicable to the main building. No accessory building hereinafter permitted shall be constructed nearer to the front lot line than is permitted for the main building nor nearer to any side or rear lot line than 1/2 the distance established in the Schedule of Bulk Regulations[1] as the minimum size of such respective side or rear yard for the district in which it is to be constructed.

Dwellings in accessory buildings. Any accessory building on the same lot with a main residence building may be used for residence purposes for employees of the owners of the main building who are employed full-time on the premises. Such use of an accessory building will require a special use permit approved by the Planning Board in accordance with the supplemental requirements herein for accessory apartments on one-family residential lots.

Guest cottages. An accessory building not containing a kitchen, intended for the temporary housing of guests of the occupants of a principal dwelling, is permitted. Such building is to be located adjacent to the principal dwelling in locations as required of an accessory building in compliance with the bulk and area requirements of this chapter.

Tents and campers. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to use a tent or camper for living quarters within the limits of the Town of Pawling.

Industrial or commercial trailers. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to park or store for more than seven days an industrial or commercial trailer in any district within the limits of the Town, except for the necessary use on construction projects. Such use shall require a special permit, which shall be issued for one year or part thereof and renewed for one additional year only. Such special permits shall be in accordance with this chapter and the applicable sections following in this chapter.

Storage of unused motor vehicles. No portion of any lot shall be used for the outdoor storage, keeping or abandonment of more than one unregistered, inoperative or partially dismantled automobile. The demolition or dismantling of any motor vehicle is not permitted in the outdoor area of any lot.

Permitted uses shall be set forth in the Schedule of Permitted Uses (special uses are subject to site plan approval).[1]

Other uses shall be permitted which, after a public hearing, the Town Board finds to be of the same general character as those listed as permitted uses in the district, provided that before approving any such use the Town Board shall find that: