Article I — General Provisions

The ordinance codified in this title shall be known as the "zoning ordinance of the city of La Verne." (Ord. 903 § 2, 1997)

• A. The purpose of this title is to designate and regulate, the best location, use and design of buildings, structures and land for residence, commerce, trade, industry, water conservation, environmental preservation, or other purposes in appropriate places and in accordance with the La Verne general plan; to regulate and determine the size of yards and other open spaces and the size, height, bulk and design of structures; and to regulate and limit the density of population, and for that purpose to divide the city into districts and zones of such number, shape and area as may be deemed best suited to carry out these regulations and provide for their enforcement.

• B. Further, such regulations are deemed necessary in order to encourage the most appropriate use of land; to conserve and stabilize the value of property; to provide adequate open spaces for light and air and to prevent and fight fires; to prevent undue concentration of population; to lessen congestion on streets; to protect the beauty, livability, economic viability, safety, charm, and existing character of the built and natural environment to facilitate adequate provisions for community utilities such as transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements; and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare.

• (Ord. 903 § 2, 1997)

The provisions of this title, insofar as they are substantially the same as in the existing ordinance relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations and not as new enactments. The reenactment of these provisions shall not constitute validation of any use not conforming to the zone in which it is located. (Ord. 903 § 2, 1997)

The lawfully existing use or uses of all buildings, structures, improvements and premises at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title or upon the effective date of any change in the ordinance, may be continued although not conforming with the requirements for the zone in which they are located, as a nonconforming use, as defined and regulated in this title, if such existing use is not in violation of any other ordinance or law. (Ord. 903 § 2, 1997)

• A. All new construction, building, improvement, alteration or enlargement, movement undertaken after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, and all new uses or occupancy of premises within the city, shall conform with the requirements, character and conditions as to use, height and area laid down for each of these several zones or districts as described in this title.

• B. No person, firm or corporation shall erect, construct, establish, move into, alter, enlarge or use, or cause or permit to be erected, constructed, established, moved into, altered, enlarged or used, any building, structure, improvement or use of premises located in any zone described in this title contrary to the provisions of this title.

• (Ord. 903 § 2, 1997)