The town council shall have the following powers:
(1)
To regulate the size, height, materials and construction of buildings, fences, walls, retaining walls and other structures hereafter erected in such manner as the public safety and convenience may require; to remove or require to be removed or reconstructed any building, structure or addition thereto which by reason of dilapidation, defect of structure or other causes is dangerous to life or property, or which may be erected contrary to law.
(2)
To provide for regular and safe construction of houses in the town for the future and to provide a building code for the town; to provide setback lines on the streets beyond which no building may be constructed if permitted by general law; to require the standard of all dwelling houses to be maintained in residential sections in keeping with the majority of residences therein and if permitted by general law, to require the standard of all business houses to be maintained in business sections in keeping with the majority of the business houses therein.
(3)
To make and adopt a comprehensive plan for the town and to that end all plats and replats hereafter made subdividing any land within the town, or within one mile thereof, into streets, alleys, roads and lots or tracts, shall be submitted to and approved by the council before such plats or replats are filed for record or recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia; provided that control of subdivisions of land without the town shall be subject to general law.
(4)
To issue or refuse (in case of noncompliance with the building requirements of the town) to issue, permits for the construction of buildings, fences, walls, and other structures in the said town; and provide for the punishment of any person, firm or corporation failing to secure such permit prior to the beginning of said construction or other work.
(Acts 1954, c. 477)