This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Borough of Northampton
Zoning Ordinance."
No building, sign or other structure or land shall be used or
occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall be erected,
constructed, reconstructed, moved, enlarged or structurally altered
unless in conformity with the regulations of this chapter. However,
this chapter shall not require any change to any building, structure
or use legally existing at the effective date of this chapter, or
any amendment thereto; or to any building, structure or use planned
and construction started in compliance with existing laws prior to
the effective date of this chapter, or any amendment thereto, and
completed within a one-year period after the effective date of this
chapter, or any amendment thereto, except as otherwise provided herein.
The intent of this chapter is to establish comprehensive controls
for the development of land in the Borough based on the Comprehensive
Plan for the area and enacted in order to promote and protect health,
safety, comfort, convenience and the general welfare of the people.
The general purpose of this chapter is to seek the following general
objectives.
Such regulations shall be made in accordance with the Comprehensive
Plan and designed to lessen congestion in the streets, to secure safety
from fires, flood, panic and other dangers; to promote the health
and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent
overcrowding of land; to facilitate the provision of transportation,
water, sewage, schools, parks and other public requirements. Such
regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration, among other
things, as to the characteristics of the district and its peculiarities
for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings
and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Borough.