The Zoning and Planning Commission of the Town of Suffield, Connecticut, at a meeting held on June 21, 2004, in said Town of Suffield, adopted the following Zoning Regulations and Zoning Map, thereby amending Sections 1 through 7 inclusive of the Town of Suffield Zoning Regulations and Zoning Map adopted on October 25, 1978. The following revised Zoning Regulations and Zoning Map shall replace said presently existing Zoning Regulations and Zoning Map of the Town of Suffield and shall become effective on July 12, 2004.

The provision of the Zoning Regulations of the Town of Suffield as originally adopted on June 15, 1954, and subsequently revised and amended are repealed as of the effective date of these Zoning Regulations, except that all terms and conditions attached to special permits approved by the Zoning and Planning Commission and variances approved by the Board of Appeals shall remain in effect.

To promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of Suffield, Connecticut, and of the public generally;

To divide the municipality into zones of such number, shape, and area as may be best suited to carry out the purposes of these regulations;

To lessen congestion in the streets and facilitate adequate provision for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public benefits;

To encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout Town, thereby conserving the value of properties;

To regulate the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or use of buildings or structures and the use of land in such zones;

To permit certain classes or kinds of buildings, structures or uses of land within the Town only after obtaining a special permit;

To regulate the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of the area of the lot that may be occupied; the size and configuration of yards, courts and open spaces; and the height, size and location of advertising signs and billboards;

To regulate the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes;

To regulate the type, use, and aesthetics of lots and buildings within the village districts;

To secure safety from fire, panic, flood and other dangers;

To promote and protect existing agricultural uses;

To prevent sprawl and the overcrowding of land;

To promote cluster development;

To provide for various housing opportunities;

To guide development in a manner which recognizes the importance of the natural environment; and

To guide growth in accordance with Suffield's Plan of Conservation and Development.

Use of land, buildings or structures, and activities not clearly permitted in the various zoning districts are prohibited.

In interpreting and applying these regulations, they shall be considered as the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare.

When these regulations impose a greater restriction on the use of buildings or require larger yards or other open spaces, or require a greater percentage of lots to remain unbuilt, or impose other standards higher than those imposed by law, ordinance, regulation or private agreement, these regulations shall control.

When restrictions are imposed by any law, ordinance, regulation or private agreement which are greater than those required by these regulations, such greater restrictions shall not be affected by these regulations.

When one section of these regulations imposes standards greater than those of another section, the standards of the more restrictive section shall control.

Words used in the singular shall include the plural, and the plural the singular, and words used in the present tense shall include the future.

The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory and not discretionary.

The words "zone(s)," "zoning district(s)" and "district(s)" have the same meaning.

The word "lot" shall include the word "parcel."

The phrase "these regulations" shall refer to the entire Zoning Regulations.

The phrase "Commission" shall refer to the Zoning and Planning Commission.

The phrase "Board" shall refer to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The phrase "Health Department" shall refer to the North Central District Health Department.

The phrase "Town Plan" shall refer to the Plan of Conservation and Development.

The phrase "Zoning Officer" shall refer to the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

The acronym "CGS" shall refer to the Connecticut General Statutes as amended.

The acronym "sf" shall refer to square feet.

The acronym "WPCA" shall refer to Suffield's Water Pollution Control Authority.

The acronym "DRB" shall refer to the Village District Design Review Board.

If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause or provision of this act shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional for any reason, such adjudication shall apply only to the section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, or provision upon which such adjudication is based, and the remainder of this act shall be deemed to be and shall continue to be valid and in full force and effect.

Questions regarding these regulations should be directed to the office of the Town Planner.