This chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Law of the Town of Richmond."

The purpose of this chapter is to promote the safety and general welfare of the Town of Richmond by regulating and restricting the height and size of buildings, number of stories and other structures; the percentage of lot that may be occupied; the size of yards, courts and other open spaces; the density of population; and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, commerce, industry, residence, agriculture or other purposes after reasonable consideration, among other things, of the character of the Town and its peculiar suitability for particular uses in order to conserve and enhance natural resources and land values and to protect the existing properties. This chapter and Zoning Map[1] are designed to prevent overcrowding of land and to avoid undue concentration of population and to facilitate the efficient and adequate provision of public facilities and services, and to establish penalties for the violation of such regulations. It is the further purpose of this chapter to conserve and promote wherever possible the natural beauty of the land, its lakes, streams, forests and hills to the end that they may be enjoyed to the fullest by this and succeeding generations of residents and others by encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town.

The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum standards and requirements for health, safety and general welfare.

Whenever the requirements of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, ordinances or laws, the most restrictive shall govern.

The Town Board may, on its own motion or on petition or on recommendation of the Planning Board, after public notice and hearing, amend, change or repeal the law and/or the Zoning Map,[1] pursuant to the provisions of the Town Law applicable thereto. Every such proposed amendment shall be first referred to the Planning Board for report prior to public hearing thereon.