This ordinance shall be known as the Land Development Code of the City of Wiggins, Mississippi. This ordinance shall become effective on July 20, 2013.

This ordinance is adopted pursuant to authority granted to the City of Wiggins by Title 17, Article [Chapter] 1, of the Mississippi Code, 1972, Annotated. This ordinance, which has been prepared following a comprehensive plan for the future of the community, is adopted for the following purposes: to promote the public health and general welfare; to conserve the value of buildings and land; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the community; and to conserve the natural resources and environmental quality of the city, as well as to prevent street congestion, overcrowding of land, and dangers from flooding, fire, and other hazards.

All prior ordinances specifically addressing land development codes are hereby repealed. Prior ordinances addressing adult uses and the sale of light wine and beer shall remain in full effect.

It is the purpose and intent of this Land Development Code that the provisions given herein shall be considered the minimum requirements necessary for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare, and that in no case should the provisions in this code be regarded as advocated standards.

The omission of any specific use, dimension, word, phrase or other provision from this Land Development Code shall not be interpreted as permitting any variation from the general meaning and intent of this Land Development Code as commonly inferred or interpreted. Should an occasion arise as to such intent or meaning, the interpretation of the Land Code Administrator shall govern.

Should any section or provision of this Land Development Code be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this Land Development Code as a whole, or any part thereof, other than the part held to be unconstitutional or invalid.

Whenever the requirements of this code or of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, codes, or ordinances are in conflict with the provisions of this code, the most restrictive law or requirements shall govern.

The Comprehensive Plan for the City of Wiggins, as adopted by the Board of Aldermen and amended from time to time, shall serve as the basic policy guide for the administration of this ordinance. The Comprehensive Plan serves as the statement of goals and policies to guide new development and redevelopment in the city. It, therefore, is the intent of the city to administer this ordinance in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.

The goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan may be amended from time to time to meet the changing requirements of the city. The Board of Aldermen may review the Comprehensive Plan as needed and initiate amendments to be reviewed and adopted. Only the Board of Alderman can initiate an amendment or revision of the Comprehensive Plan. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan shall follow the same procedures as a text amendment to this ordinance.