The zoning regulations and districts herein set forth have been made in accordance with the goals and policies articulated in the East Greenwich Comprehensive Community Plan (as amended) for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety and general welfare of the Town. They are designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to control nuclear and toxic wastes; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements. They are made with reasonable consideration, among other things, of the character of each district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of property and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town.
A. 
Authority. This chapter of the Code of the Town of East Greenwich is adopted pursuant to the authority conferred by Rhode Island General Law § 45-24-27 et seq.
B. 
Effectiveness. This chapter shall take effect immediately upon passage. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this chapter are repealed.
C. 
Applicability. No structure or land shall be used, and no structure shall be erected, enlarged or relocated, unless it conforms to the provisions of this chapter. No lot shall be created unless it conforms to the provisions of this chapter. Uses and structures lawfully existing on the effective date of this chapter, however, which are nonconforming to the provisions of this chapter, shall be permitted to continue in existence.
A. 
Interpretation. When the provisions of this chapter are interpreted or applied they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health and general welfare.
B. 
Conflict. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to interfere with or abrogate or annul any ordinance, rule, regulation or permit previously adopted or issued and not in conflict with any provision of this chapter, or which shall be adopted or issued pursuant to law relating to the use of land or building or ordinance not in conflict with this chapter; nor is it intended by this chapter to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between parties; except when this chapter imposes a greater restriction, this chapter shall control.
Notwithstanding any section to the contrary, use of land or buildings constructed by or on behalf of the United States of America, the State of Rhode Island and the Town of East Greenwich shall be exempted from the regulations contained herein.
If any provision of this chapter or of any rule, regulation or determination made thereunder, or the application thereof to any person, agency or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the ordinance, rule, regulation, or determination and the application of such provisions to other persons, agencies or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the chapter.