It shall be the purpose of the Sharon Zoning Bylaw ("this bylaw") to lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve health, to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to encourage housing for all persons of all income levels; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, open parks, open space and other public requirements; to conserve natural resources and prevent blight and pollution of the environment; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town, including consideration of the recommendations of the Master Plan, if any, adopted by the Sharon Planning Board and the Comprehensive Plan, if any, of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council; and to preserve and increase amenities and to restrict, prohibit, permit or regulate the uses of bodies of water, including watercourses, and the development of the natural, scenic and aesthetic qualities of the community.

This bylaw is enacted in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 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 Town are regulated as hereinafter provided.

All buildings or structures hereinafter erected, reconstructed, altered, enlarged, or moved, and the use of all premises in the Town, shall be in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Bylaw. 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 bylaw imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by any other regulations, permits, restrictions, easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this bylaw shall control.

This bylaw may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40A, § 5.

The invalidity of any section of provision of this bylaw shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.