These regulations shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of Springfield, Georgia."

The City Council of Springfield, acting pursuant to authority granted by the General Assembly of Georgia by Act of 1957, pages 420 et seq., entitled Planning Enabling Act, Section seven, as subsequently amended in 1973 and any other applicable Act hereby adopts and enacts the Zoning Ordinance of Springfield, Georgia.

The zoning regulations and districts as herein set forth are made in accordance with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Springfield, with consideration for the character of the City, its various parts and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses and structures, and in order to promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of Springfield, and of the public generally. The provisions are designed to prevent overcrowding of land, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property or other dangers. The ordinance is also intended to support the following Community Development Objectives:

Appearance. To improve the appearance and utility of the land and structures in Springfield and to control the filling of flood plains, misuse of marshlands and stream banks, use of signs, and screening of junkyards and other areas of bad appearance.

Education. To help maintain public and private school systems, capable of maximizing a student's potential, including large administrative districts with diversified educational opportunities. To better educate people of all ages, races, incomes, mental capacities, and physical handicaps.

Transportation. To create an integrated transportation system, and to prepare and obtain acceptance of a continuing transportation system for Springfield, and particularly to assist low income groups and elderly citizens in obtaining better transportation to jobs and shopping areas.

Recreation and Tourism. Provide sufficient recreation facilities, particularly at the community level, to meet community needs, and promote tourism to the greatest extent possible.

Pollution. Eliminate or reduce major sources of pollution.

Flooding. To provide additional flood protection for critical areas, and to discourage development in flood prone areas that would be damaged by flooding.

Housing. To provide an adequate supply of safe and sanitary housing, including the rehabilitation of existing structures, in an acceptable environment for all income groups, regardless of race, religion, color, culture, ethnicity or background.

Crime Prevention. To reduce the incidence of crime to the extent possible.

Economics. To protect and improve property values by providing land for commercial and industrial growth where feasible, and minimize the conflict between industrial and commercial growth and residential or public development.

Utilities. To promote the provision of public and private utilities.

Land Use and Comprehensive Plans. To use the zoning ordinance as a tool to help implement the Land Use and Comprehensive Plans.

Health. To protect the health of the residents of Springfield and of the public in general

Except as hereinafter provided, no land, building, structure or premises shall hereafter be used, and no building or part thereof or other structure shall be located, erected, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, altered or moved except in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located, and in conformity with all duly ordained ordinances, resolutions and subdivision regulations of Springfield. No yard space or minimum area required for building or use shall be considered as any part of the yard space or minimum areas for another building or use.