These regulations are adopted under the authority of Chapter
124 of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.), as amended (C.G.S.
§ 8-1 et seq.).
A.
Statutory purposes. These regulations are adopted for the purposes
set forth in C.G.S. § 8-2, as amended, including:
(1)
To promote the orderly growth and development of the Town in
accordance with the adopted Plan of Conservation and Development;
(2)
To promote the health, safety and general welfare of the community,
lessening congestion in the streets, prevent the overcrowding of land,
avoid undue concentration of population, provide for light and air,
and to facilitate the adequate provision for transportation, water,
sewerage, schools, parks and other public improvements;
(3)
To divide the Town into districts with considerations as to
the character of each district and its suitability for particular
uses, so as to conserve the value of property and buildings and promote
the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town;
(4)
To protect historic factors and existing and potential groundwater
and drinking water supplies of the Town;
(5)
To assure that proper provision is made for sedimentation control
and the control of erosion caused by wind or water;
(6)
To encourage the development of housing opportunities, including
opportunities for multiple dwelling units, consistent with soil types,
terrain and infrastructure capacity;
(7)
To promote housing choice and economic diversity in housing,
including housing for both low and moderate income households, and
shall encouraging the development of housing which will meet identified
housing needs; and
(8)
To encourage: energy efficient patterns of development; the
use of solar and other renewable forms of energy; and energy conservation.
A.
Districts.
(1)
To accomplish the purposes of these regulations, the Town of
Canton is divided into different districts as enumerated within these
regulations.
(2)
The location and boundaries of zoning districts shall be as
shown on the official Zoning Map, as may be amended from time to time,
which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
(3)
The official Zoning Map is hereby declared to be a part of these
Zoning Regulations.
(4)
Any facsimile of the official map is intended for the convenience
of the public only and shall not be considered to be the official
Zoning Map of the Town.
B.
Boundary interpretation.
(1)
If not clearly delineated on the official Zoning Map, district
boundaries shall be construed in the following sequence:
(a)
Following the center line of a street, railroad, right-of-way,
or easement;
(b)
Following property lines of record at the time of adoption of
these regulations or relevant amendments hereto;
(c)
Where district boundaries are set back from street lines, they
shall be considered as running parallel thereto, at distances shown
or measured; or
(d)
Following the lines of a particular physical feature, including
brooks, streams, floodplains, or steep slopes.
(2)
In the case of any remaining uncertainty regarding district
boundaries on the official Zoning Map, the location of the district
boundary shall be determined by the Commission by resolution.
A.
Prohibited if not permitted.
(1)
Unless otherwise allowed by § 470-803 of these regulations, any use of land, buildings or structures not expressly permitted by these regulations in a particular district is prohibited in that district.
(2)
Accessory uses which are not specifically permitted by these
regulations but which are customarily incidental and subordinate to
a permitted principal use shall be permitted, unless specifically
identified as prohibited elsewhere in these regulations, subject to
any conditions as may be imposed by these regulations.
B.
Minimum requirements. In their interpretation and application, the
provisions of these regulations shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience,
and general welfare, unless the context clearly indicates that such
provision is intended to be a maximum limitation.
C.
Strictest standards control.
(1)
In the event that there are found to be conflicting requirements
within these regulations, the most restrictive provision shall be
applied.
(2)
The provisions of these regulations may be superseded by other
local, state, or federal laws or regulations.
(3)
These regulations does not release a person from compliance
with a more restrictive law, ordinance, easement, covenant, rule,
regulation, or permit.
A.
Use. Unless otherwise allowed by § 470-803 of these regulations, no land and improvements thereon shall be used or occupied except in conformity with these regulations for the district in which the land is located.
B.
Construction. Unless otherwise allowed by § 470-803 of these regulations, no building, structure or other improvements or part thereof shall be constructed, moved, replaced, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or altered except in conformity with these regulations for the district in which the building or other structure is located.
C.
Parcel changes. No land shall be sold or divided in a manner which
results in either:
(1)
A use of all or a part thereof ceasing to conform to these regulations
or conforming to a lesser extent than prior to such sale or division;
or
(2)
A dimensional standard or any other standard that does not conform
to the requirements of these regulations or conforms to a lesser extent
than prior to such sale or division.
A.
Separability. If any provision of these regulations is ruled by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the effect of such
decision shall be limited to the provision expressly stated in the
decision to be invalid, and all other provisions of these regulations
shall continue to be valid and fully effective.
