§ 15-1-601 — Regulations; scope and purpose; uniformity within authorized districts; to follow plan; objectives

(a) The governing body of any city or town, by ordinance,
may:
(i) Regulate and restrict the:
(A) Height, number of stories and size of
buildings and other structures;
(B) Percentage of lot that may be occupied;
(C) Size of yards, courts and other open spaces;
(D) Density of population; and
(E) Location and use of buildings, structures
and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes.
(ii) Establish setback building lines.
(b) The governing body may divide the city or town into
districts of such number, shape and area as it deems necessary,
and within those districts it may regulate and restrict the
erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or
use of buildings, structures or land.
(c) Regulations may differ from one (1) district to
another but shall be uniform for each class or kind of buildings
within a district.
(d) All regulations shall be made:
(i) In accordance with a comprehensive plan and
designed to:
(A) Lessen congestion in the streets;
(B) Secure safety from fire, panic and other
dangers;
(C) Promote health and general welfare;
(D) Provide adequate light and air;
(E) Prevent the overcrowding of land;
(F) Avoid undue concentration of population; and
(G) Facilitate adequate provisions for
transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public
requirements.
(ii) With reasonable consideration, among other
things, of the character of the district and its peculiar
suitability for particular uses;
(iii) With a view to conserving the value of
buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land
throughout the city or town; and
(iv) With consideration given to the historic
integrity of certain neighborhoods or districts and a view to
preserving, rehabilitating and maintaining historic properties
and encouraging compatible uses within the neighborhoods or
districts, but no regulation made to carry out the purposes of
this paragraph is valid to the extent it constitutes an
unconstitutional taking without compensation.