The Town of Washington is hereby divided into the following use districts:

In addition to the use districts listed in § 165-12 above, the following floating districts are hereby created, to be mapped by the Town Board at such future time as it deems appropriate, pursuant to §§ 165-26 through 165-28 of this chapter. When mapped by the Town Board, these districts replace and supersede any previous use classification, but they do not supersede overlay districts as described in § 165-14 below.

In addition to the above districts, the following overlay districts are hereby created, to take effect upon Town Board adoption of overlay maps for each district, pursuant to §§ 165-22, 165-24 and 165-25 of this chapter. Any overlay maps adopted or modified under this chapter shall be adopted or modified by zoning amendment pursuant to the procedures specified in Article XI. In addition to the requirements therein, the adoption or modification of an overlay district map shall require a referral to and written report from the Conservation Advisory Commission simultaneously with the required referral to the Planning Board. The overlay districts impose requirements that supplement those in the underlying use and floating districts listed above and do not supersede the provisions of these districts, except insofar as the overlay districts may impose more restrictive requirements. The overlay districts include:

The districts listed in §§ 165-12 through 165-14 are bounded as shown on the map series entitled "Zoning Map Series, Town of Washington, Dutchess County, New York," dated August 2023, which, with all explanatory matter thereon, is made a part of this chapter.[1] Said Zoning Map Series must include, at a minimum, the districts described in § 165-12 of this chapter, and shall include any mapped floating zones (EP, MH, H, or I) or overlay zones (HOS, APO or AQ), as well as the Wetlands and Watercourses Map described in § 165-92 of this chapter. Until such time as the Wetlands and Watercourses Map has been adopted by the Town Board, the preexisting Land Conservation (LC) Zone shall be used to protect wetlands. Upon adoption of this new map, the LC Zone shall be deemed superseded.

The Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), entitled "Town of Washington and Village of Millbrook Natural Resources Inventory 2023," which was adopted by resolution of the Town Board dated February 15, 2024, identifies and describes the naturally occurring resources located in the Town of Washington and Village of Millbrook, including climate, topography, geology and soils, water resources, and habitat, as well as farmland and conserved or publicly owned lands. By bringing this information together in one place, the NRI is a valuable resource to aid in the understanding and appreciation of the community's natural resources. The NRI provides valuable baseline information for comprehensive and open space planning, zoning updates, identifying critical environmental areas, climate adaptation strategies, and other municipal plans and policies for the Town and Village. The NRI can also inform local land stewardship and conservation. When preparing development proposals, applicants are directed to consult the NRI to satisfy the requirements and standards of this chapter. The Planning Board shall consider the NRI to identify and understand natural resources during its review of any application before it, where relevant. Likewise, the NRI shall be used during any SEQRA review conducted by any municipal board. The Town Board hereby adopts these maps as official guidelines to be used in conjunction with this chapter.[1]

The Visual Resources Mapping Series, entitled "Town of Washington: Visual Assessment Study, May 24, 1988," is designed to serve as a set of guidelines for the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and applicants to follow during the review of subdivisions, site plans, variances, and special permit applications. Although compliance with these maps is not mandatory, applicants are strongly encouraged to follow these guidelines in order to satisfy the requirements and standards of this chapter. The Town Board hereby adopts these maps as official guidelines to be used in conjunction with this chapter.

Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of any of the aforesaid districts, the rules specified below shall apply. In cases where these rules do not identify the true location of a district boundary line, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall render a determination with respect thereto.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot or land in single ownership as existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter, the use authorized on, and the district requirements applying to, the less restricted portion of the property shall be construed as extending into the remaining portion of the property beyond the district boundary lines for a distance not exceeding 35 feet.