If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this
article or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation,
or circumstance, shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not
affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined
in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part
of this article or in its application to the person, individual, firm
or corporation or circumstance directly involved in the controversy
in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
This article shall be interpreted in such a way wherever possible
so that the meaning of the words and phrases and sections herein shall
make them valid and legal in their effect. Whenever the requirements
of this article are at variance with the requirements of other lawfully
adopted rules, regulations or laws, the law with the most restrictive
provisions or those imposing the higher standards shall govern.
This article shall be operative immediately and effective upon
being filed with the New York State Secretary of State pursuant to
Section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York.