This ordinance shall be known, and may be cited and referred to, as the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City of Portales.

An official zoning plan for the City of Portales is hereby established and adopted to serve the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community and to provide the economic and social advantage resulting from an orderly, planned use of land resources.

(a)

This Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Sections 14-20-1 through 14-20-12 of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1953, as amended. The provisions of this Ordinance are adopted in acceptance of and in accordance with said statutes.

(b)

The regulations and restrictions contained in this Ordinance are in accordance with a comprehensive plan and are designed to accomplish the purposes set forth in Sections 14-20-1 and 14-20-3, New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1953, as amended, and as otherwise delineated and defined in Article 20 of the Municipal Code of the State of New Mexico.

The provisions of this Ordinance, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing ordinances relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuation and not as new enactments. The re-enactment of these provisions shall not constitute validation of any use not conforming to the zone in which it is located.

The existing use or uses of all buildings, improvements and premises not in conformity with the standards or requirements of the zoning district in which they are located, in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, and which uses are legal, or for which permits or variances were granted under previous ordinances, may continue as NON-CONFORMING USES or VARIANCES as hereinafter defined, and subject to the provisions regulating such uses.