The ordinance codified in this chapter, enacted pursuant to
and under the authority of MGL c. 40A, as amended, shall be known
and may be cited as the "Quincy Zoning Ordinance" or "this chapter."
The adoption of this chapter nullifies and replaces all previous versions
of the Zoning Ordinance.
This chapter is enacted to promote the purposes set forth in
1975 Massachusetts Acts Chapter 808, Section 2A, which include, but
are not limited to, the following: to lessen congestion in the streets;
to conserve health; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other
dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding
of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to encourage
housing for persons of all income levels; to facilitate the adequate
provision of transportation, water, water supply, drainage, sewerage,
schools, parks, open space and other public requirements; to conserve
the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural
resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment;
to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the City,
including consideration of the recommendations of the master plan,
if any, adopted by the Planning Board and the comprehensive plan,
if any, of the regional planning agency; and to preserve and increase
amenities by the promulgation of regulations to fulfill said objectives.
Said regulations may include but are not limited to restricting, prohibiting,
permitting or regulating:
1. Uses of land, including wetlands and lands deemed subject to seasonal
or periodic flooding;
2. Size, height, bulk, location and use of structures, including buildings
and signs, except that billboards, signs and other advertising devices
are also subject to the provisions of MGL c. 93, §§ 29
through 33, inclusive, and to MGL c. 93D;
3. Uses of bodies of water, including watercourses;
5. Areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied or
unoccupied by uses and structures, courts, yards and open spaces;
6. Density of population and intensity of use;
7. Accessory facilities and uses, such as vehicle parking and loading,
landscaping and open space; and
8. The development of the natural, scenic and aesthetic qualities of
the community.
This chapter is authorized by, but not limited by, the provisions
of the Zoning Act, MGL c. 40A, as amended, Section 2A of 1975 Massachusetts
Acts Chapter 808, and by Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
For these purposes, the construction, repair, alteration, reconstruction,
height, number of stories, and size of buildings and structures, the
size and width of lots, the percentage of lot area that may be occupied,
the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population,
and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land in the
City of Quincy are regulated as hereinafter provided.
All buildings or structures hereinafter erected, reconstructed,
altered, enlarged, or moved, and the use of all premises in the City
of Quincy, shall be in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning
Ordinance. No building, structure or land shall be used for any purpose
or in any manner other than is expressly permitted within the district
in which such building, structure or land is located. Where the application
of this chapter imposes greater restrictions than those imposed by
any other regulation, permit, restriction, easement, covenant, or
agreement, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
1.5.1.
Commencement of construction or operation. Construction or operations
under a building permit or special permit shall conform to any subsequent
amendments to this chapter, unless the use or construction is commenced
within a period of not more than six months after the issuance of
the permit and, in any case involving construction, unless such construction
is continued through to completion as continuously and expeditiously
as is reasonable.
This chapter may from time to time be changed by amendment,
addition, or repeal by the City Council in the manner provided in
MGL c. 40A, § 5, and any amendments thereto.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this chapter shall
not invalidate any other section or provision herein.