This title and any amendments thereto shall be known and cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Vandalia, Illinois."

(Ord. No. 1997-6-16-D, Art. 1(1.1), 6-16-1997)

In accordance with State law (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 65, Act 5, Section 11-13-1 et seq.) this title regulates lots, structures and uses in order to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare. More specifically, this title is intended to assist in achieving the following objectives:

A.

To encourage the development of buildings and uses on appropriate sites in order to maximize community-wide social and economic benefits while accommodating the particular needs of all residents, and to discourage development on inappropriate sites;

B.

To protect and enhance the character and stability of sound existing residential, commercial and industrial areas, and to gradually eliminate nonconforming uses and structures;

C.

To ensure the provision of adequate light, air, and privacy for the occupants of all buildings;

D.

To ensure the proper design and improvement of mobile home parks;

E.

To authorize and regulate the design of planned developments;

F.

To protect the public from property damage caused by fire, flooding, poorly controlled storm water runoff, and adverse soil and topographical conditions;

G.

To provide adequate and well-designed parking and loading space for all buildings and uses, and to reduce vehicular congestion on the public streets and highways;

H.

To promote the use of signs which are safe, aesthetically pleasing, compatible with their surroundings and legible in the circumstances in which they are seen;

I.

To provide for the efficient administration and fair enforcement of all the regulations in this title; and

J.

To provide a pleasant living environment and protect neighborhood settings.

(Ord. No. 1997-6-16-D, Art. 1(1.2), 6-16-1997)

This title shall be applicable to all lands within the corporate limits of the City and all lands within Fayette County which are within one and one-half (1½) miles of the City's corporate limits.

This chapter provides the general rules for interpreting language and the definition of terms within the Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1997-6-16-D, Art. 1(1.3), 6-16-1997)