Princess Anne City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 163-1 Authority.
This chapter is enacted under the authority granted by the General Assembly of Maryland, as provided in the Land Use Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended.
§ 163-2 Purpose and scope.
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote public health, safety and general welfare; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to lessen congestion in streets; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to conserve the value of property; and to facilitate adequate provision of schools, water, sewerage, circulation and other public requirements.
B.
This chapter shall apply to all incorporated territory of the Town of Princess Anne, Maryland.
C.
Except as otherwise specified the use of any property and the construction or alteration of any building or structure shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any part of any building or structure declared unsafe by a proper authority.
§ 163-3 Interpretation of standards.
A.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements. Wherever the requirements of this chapter are found to be in conflict with those imposed or required by other provisions of law or by other rules, regulations or ordinances or by private restrictions, the most restrictive or that imposing the highest standards shall govern.
§ 163-4 Conformity with chapter provisions.
The regulations set by this chapter within each zone shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, except and particularly as hereinafter provided:
A.
No building, structure or land shall hereinafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed or reconstructed, moved or structurally altered externally, unless in conformity with all the regulations herein specified for the zoning district in which it is located.
B.
No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to: exceed the height; accommodate or house a greater number of families; occupy a greater percentage of lot area; or have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces than herein required, or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
C.
No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, open space or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building.
D.
No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this chapter.
§ 163-5 Severability.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the President and Town Commissioners of Princess Anne, Maryland, that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Zoning Chapter are severable, and if any such section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase is declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction in a valid judgment or decree, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases of this Zoning Chapter since the same would have been enacted without the incorporation into this Zoning Chapter of such unconstitutional or invalid sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases.