These regulations are enacted to promote the general welfare of the Town of Wenham, to protect the health, safety and quality of life of its inhabitants; encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town; preserve the cultural, historical, aesthetic, environmental awareness and agricultural heritage of the community; increase the amenities of the Town; and reduce the hazard from fire by regulating the location and use of buildings and the area of open space around them, all as authorized by, but not limited to, the provisions of the Zoning Act, MGL c. 40A, as amended, Section 2A of 1975 Mass. Acts 808, and by Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This Zoning Bylaw is enacted in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40A and any and all amendments thereto.

For these purposes, the placement, construction, repair, alteration, reconstruction, height, number of stories, and size of buildings and structures, the size and width of lots, frontage, the percentage of lot area that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population, the location and use of buildings and structures, and the use of land in the Town are regulated as hereinafter provided.

Unless specifically exempted in this bylaw, all buildings or structures hereafter 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 from time to time be changed by amendment, addition, or repeal by the Town Meeting in the manner provided in MGL c. 40A, § 5, and any amendments thereto.

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