For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, convenience, morals or welfare of the inhabitants of Salem, the zoning regulations and restrictions of this ordinance, ordained in accord with the provisions of Chapter 40A of the General Laws and, in the case of signs, ordained in addition in accord with the provisions of Section 29 of Chapter 93 of the General Laws, are designed among other purposes to lessen congestion in the streets; to preserve health; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements; to conserve the value of land and buildings; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the City; and to preserve and increase its amenities, to preserve and protect the water supply, open space and conservation of natural resources, to prevent the pollution of the environment and community blight, to ensure housing for all income levels and compliance with the master plan of the City of Salem; all as authorized by, but not limited to, the provisions of the Zoning Act, G.L. c. 40A, as amended, Section 2A of 1975 Mass. Acts 808, and by Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This Zoning Ordinance is enacted in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 40A, and any and all amendments thereto, and by Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

For these purposes, the construction, repair, alteration, reconstruction, height, number of stories, and size of buildings and structures, the size and width of lots, the percentage of lot area 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 in the City are regulated as hereinafter provided.

All buildings or structures hereinafter erected, reconstructed, altered, enlarged, or moved, and the use of all premises in the City, shall be in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. No building, structure or land shall be used for any purpose or in any manner other than is expressly permitted within the district in which such building, structure or land is located. Where the application of this Ordinance imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this Ordinance shall control.

This Ordinance may from time to time be changed by amendment, addition, or repeal by the City Council in the manner provided in G.L. c. 40A, s.5, and any amendments thereto.

1.5.1 Petition to Amend. A descriptive plot plan shall accompany all petitions to amend this Ordinance for the purpose of changing the boundary lines of districts as shown on the zoning map. Such plan shall be filed with the City Clerk, and a duplicate copy of such plan shall be filed with the Planning Board. The plan shall be drawn accurately, sufficiently clear to show clearly the following data:

1.

The metes and bounds of the site;

2.

All streets and other reference marks;

3.

All abutting lots, including the names and addresses of the present owners;

4.

Any buildings or structures on the site; and

5.

All easements or other restrictions on the site.

Except where the petitioner is the City, the plan shall be prepared by a registered land surveyor, and the registered land surveyor's official stamp or seal shall be affixed to the plan.

(Ord. of 9-9-21, § 1)

The invalidity of any section or provision of this Ordinance shall not invalidate any other section or provision herein.