This chapter is officially titled as "The Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Williamston, South Carolina," and shall be known as the "zoning ordinance." The official map designating the various zoning districts shall be titled, "Town of Williamston, Zoning Map," and shall be known as the "zoning map."

(Ord. No. 2008-02, § 101, 6-2-2008)

Zoning provisions enacted herein are under the authority of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, 1994 Cumulative Update, title 6, chapter 29 (S.C. Code 1976, § 6-29-310 et seq.) which extends to cities the authority to enact regulations which promote the health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community. It further authorizes cities to regulate and restrict the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or use of buildings, structures, or land. This section further authorizes the establishment of overlay districts in which additional regulations may be imposed upon properties that lie within the boundary of the district. The statutes also require that all such regulations shall be uniform for each class or type of building throughout each district, but that the regulations in one district may differ from those in other districts.

(Ord. No. 2008-02, § 102, 6-2-2008)

(a)

The purpose of this chapter is to guide development in accordance with the community's existing and future needs and to protect, promote, and improve the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity and general welfare of the town. The regulations set forth herein are designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers; to promote the public health and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of populations; to protect scenic areas, to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public requirements; to promote desirable living conditions and the sustained stability of neighborhoods; to protect property against blight and depreciation; to secure economy in governmental expenditures; to conserve the value of land and buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land and buildings and structures.

(b)

From and after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, the use of all land and all buildings or portions thereof erected, altered with respect to area, added to, or relocated, and every use within a building or use accessory thereto, in the town, shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Any existing building or structure and existing use of building or land not in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed shall be regarded as nonconforming, but may be continued subject to the regulations herein provided in respect to nonconforming buildings or uses.

(Ord. No. 2008-02, § 103, 6-2-2008)

It is not intended that this chapter repeal, abrogate, annul, impair, or interfere with any existing easements, covenants, deed restrictions, agreements, vested rights or building permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law and currently effective. The provisions of this chapter are minimum requirements and where conflicts with other laws occur, the stricter shall apply.

(Ord. No. 2008-02, § 105, 6-2-2008)