The purpose of this chapter is to guide development in accordance with the existing and future needs and to protect, promote, and improve the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity, and general welfare of the City of Pickens. The regulations set forth herein are designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers; to promote the public health and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of populations; to protect scenic areas; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public requirements; to promote desirable living conditions and the sustained stability of neighborhoods; to protect property against blight and depreciation; to secure economy in governmental expenditures; to conserve the value of land and buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land and buildings and structures.

From and after the effective date of this chapter, the use of all land and all buildings or portions thereof erected, altered with respect to area, added to, or relocated, and every use within a building or use accessory thereto, in the City of Pickens, shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Any existing building or structure and existing use of building or land not in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed shall be regarded as nonconforming but may be continued subject to the regulations herein provided in respect to nonconforming buildings or uses.

The provisions of this chapter are adopted under the authority granted by the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, 1994 Cumulative Update, Title 6, Chapter 29.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance, City of Pickens, South Carolina."

The provisions of this chapter are minimum requirements, and where conflicts with other laws occur, the stricter shall apply.

The regulations set forth in this chapter shall be applicable within the corporate limits of the City of Pickens.

This chapter shall take effect and all regulations included herein shall be in full force from and after the date of its adoption by the City of Pickens City Council.