A.
Long title. This chapter is entitled "An ordinance permitting, regulating, restricting and determining the uses of land; the size, height, bulk, location, construction, repair, alteration, razing, removal and use of structures; the density of population and intensity of use; the location and size of signs; creating zoning districts and establishing the boundaries thereof; creating a Board of Appeals; and providing for the administration, amendment and enforcement of this ordinance, including the imposition of penalties."
B.
Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Snow Hill Zoning Ordinance."
This chapter is enacted under the authority granted by the General Assembly of Maryland, as provided in the Land Use Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended.
This chapter has been prepared in accordance with the Snow Hill Comprehensive Plan and is designed to control congestion in the streets; to secure the public safety; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to promote the conservation of natural resources; to prevent environmental pollution; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreation, parks, and other public requirements. Such regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration, among other things, to the character of the district and its suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the orderly development and the most appropriate use of land throughout the jurisdiction.
This chapter shall apply to all lands, buildings and properties lying within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Snow Hill, Maryland, as the same shall be established from time to time.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be minimum requirements and are not intended to prohibit the use or application of higher standards by persons utilizing, building upon or developing lands within jurisdiction of the chapter. Whenever the requirements of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, deed restrictions or covenants, the more restrictive or that imposing the higher standards shall govern. Enforcement under this chapter shall, however, be limited to enforcement of the terms of this chapter, as well as regulations, requirements and restrictions adopted or imposed pursuant hereto.
The regulations set by this chapter within each zone shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, except and particularly as hereinafter provided:
A.
No building, structure or land shall hereinafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered externally, unless in conformity with all the regulations herein specified for the zoning district in which it is located.
B.
No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to: exceed the height; accommodate or house a greater number of families; occupy a greater percentage of lot area; or have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces than herein required, or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
C.
No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, open space or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building.
D.
No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this chapter.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill, Maryland that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Zoning Chapter are severable, and if any such section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase is declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction in a valid judgment or decree, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases of this Zoning Chapter since the same would have been enacted without the incorporation into this Zoning Chapter of such unconstitutional or invalid sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases.
