§ 3. General Applicability.

This ordinance shall apply to the use of land within the corporate limits of the City of Sulphur. All developments in the City shall meet or exceed minimum standards and requirements of this ordinance as amended from time to time.

(1)

Effective Regulations. Decisions made in regard to the applications for development approval shall be based on the provisions of this ordinance in effect at the time of the decision.

(2)

Building Permits Issued Prior to Effective Date. This ordinance and any amendment thereto shall not affect the validity of any building permit lawfully issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance or any amendment thereto provided the permit is valid upon the effective date of the adoption of this ordinance or any amendment thereto and that construction authorized by such permit has commenced prior to the effective date of the ordinance or any amendment thereto and provided construction has and does continue without interruption until the full completion of the development.

(3)

Uses Lawfully Existing Prior to Effective Date. Any legal use of land within the City of Sulphur established prior to and existing on the effective date of this ordinance shall be considered a lawfully established use as it relates to this ordinance. Nonconforming uses, as defined by the provisions of this ordinance, may continue provided that the use continues in the form that exists on the effective date of this ordinance. Uses prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall be documented with photography to the extent possible and maintained by the Zoning Administrator.

(4)

Exceptions. All property owned by the City of Sulphur shall be temporarily exempt, for a period of ninety (90) days, from this ordinance only insofar as said exemption is an emergency situation to protect public health, safety and welfare.

(Ord. No. 835, 3-10-08)