(1) The promotion and protection of the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience and the general welfare of the people.
(2) The division of the City into districts, restricting and regulating therein the location, construction, reconstruction, alteration, intensity, use and form of buildings, structures and land for commercial, industrial, recreational, residential and other specified uses.
(3) The protection of the established character and maintenance of the stability of commercial, industrial, recreational and residential areas within the City and the promotion of orderly growth and beneficial development and redevelopment of such areas so that, even after the granting of permits by the Planning Commission and the granting of area variances and special exceptions by the Zoning Hearing Board, as herein provided, the character and stability of such areas will be preserved and protected from incompatible land use.
(4) The provision of adequate light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property.
(5) The provision of water, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, access to incident solar energy, police protection and a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial or industrial use.
(6) The accommodation of reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.
(7) The preservation of the City's natural and scenic values, the preservation of the City's historic resources and landmarks, and the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands, including forests, woodlands, wetlands, aquifers, steep slopes, waterways, and floodplains.
(8) The prevention of congestion in the public streets and the protection of the health, safety, convenience and general welfare by providing for off-street parking of motor vehicles and for the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles.
(9) The protection and extension of the City's traditional street grid for reasons of public safety, walkability, enhanced vehicular access and connectivity, and the preservation of the City's historic character.
(10) 
The prevention of overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures by regulation of the size, height, bulk, location and use of buildings and structures in relation to the surrounding land.
(11) The protection against fire, explosion, noxious fumes and other hazards in the interest of public health, safety, comfort and general welfare.
(12) The conservation of taxable value of land and buildings throughout the City.
(13) The promotion in the public interest of the utilization of land for the purpose for which it is most appropriate.
(14) The definition of and limitations on the powers and duties of the administrative offices and bodies provided in this chapter.

(1) The College Hill District's purpose is to protect the character of this unique hillside neighborhood adjoining Lafayette College, accommodating a mix of housing types and development intensities, neighborhood retail and commercial services, green space, and appropriate infill.
(2) The College Hill/Institutional-1 Transitional Zone District's purpose is to provide for a mix of residential and nonresidential uses and development that will enhance the transition from Lafayette College campus to the College Hill community. Uses would allow students, staff, faculty, residents, and visitors to live, shop, dine and receive their wellness needs. The district encourages mixed-use buildings and alternative modes of transportation such as walking and biking, with an emphasis on promoting safe and attractive pedestrian-oriented landscapes as well as a reduction in the need for impervious surfaces for parking.
(3) The South Side District's purpose is to enhance the character of this neighborhood by accommodating a mix of housing types and development intensities, green space, local and regional commercial, retail, and appropriate infill and redevelopment and infill that maintains or extends the existing network of streets and alleys.
(4) The West Ward District's purpose is to protect and enhance the character of this existing neighborhood located on a similar topographic plane as the Downtown by accommodating a mix of housing types and development intensities, green space, neighborhood retail and commercial services, and appropriate infill and redevelopment that maintains or extends the existing network of streets and alleys.
(5) The West Ward/Institutional-2 Transitional Zone Districts purpose is to provide a mix of uses and development that will enhance the transition from the Northampton County Government institutional campus to the West Ward Neighborhood. Existing and new uses would allow county staff, legal businesses and agencies, associated and ancillary businesses and neighborhood residents to live, work, receive personal and professional services, and dine. The district encourages a variety of uses and mixed-use building styles and both vehicle and alternative modes of transportation.
(6) The River Corridors and Other Green Areas District's purpose is to accommodate appropriate development while providing for adequate protection and buffering of the City's waterways and other natural resources; assist in flood management; protection of environmentally sensitive areas; and meet the need for local and regional greenways, open space, and recreation within the City.
(7) The Institutional-1 District's purpose is to accommodate the orderly development of educational campuses providing four-year or higher degree programs, such as Lafayette College.
(8) The Institutional-2 District's purpose is to accommodate the orderly development needed to meet the institutional needs of Northampton County.
(9) The Downtown District's purpose is to provide the highest intensity of development within the core of the City of Easton, while preserving the City's historic resources and context; to promote a mix of regional commercial and office space, with residential opportunity and neighborhood services; and to support mass transit and transit-oriented development.
(10) The Business and Entertainment District's purpose is to encourage active uses and storefronts that enhance Easton's Downtown as a place to visit, do business, and stay for evening dining and entertainment.
(11) The Adaptive Reuse District's purpose is to promote the redevelopment and revitalization of underutilized and underperforming areas of the City with residential, institutional, and commercial uses and industrial development in an environmentally sensitive manner.
(12) The Expressway Transitional District's purpose is to accommodate industrial, commercial, mixed and advertising uses in areas adjacent to multilane, controlled-access roads, to promote better safety and welfare within the City of Easton. These areas have traditionally been geared toward industry and commerce, with a minimal residential base. As such, the Expressway Transitional (ET) District is ideal for uses which are incompatible with residential areas.
(13) The Street Corridor Enhancement Overlay District's purpose is to accommodate medium- and high-intensity development at the gateways to the City and along the principal vehicular and pedestrian corridors, and to promote compact, walkable, mixed-use buildings with local and regional commercial services, compatibly scaled light industrial, and residential uses.
(14) The Innovation Overlay District's purpose is to protect the existing residential neighborhood while accommodating the expansion and enhancement of compatible light industrial and commercial opportunities that meet rigorous design standards and review.

(1) Districts are bound and defined as shown on the map entitled "City of Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Zoning District Map" and as may further be revised. This map with all explanatory matters thereon accompanies and is hereby made part of this chapter.
(2) The Block Classes of the Zoning Districts shall be as shown upon the map attached to and made a part of this chapter, depicting Block Classes A, B and C.
(3) Properties within the flood hazard area, as identified in City Code § 298-8, shall comply with Chapter 298 and any other applicable regulations.

(1) Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding with the center lines of streets, highways or streams, such center lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.
(2) Where district boundaries are so indicated that they approximately coincide with lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be such boundaries, or where district boundaries are an extension of lot lines or connect the intersections of lot lines, such lines shall be such district boundaries.
(3) Where district boundaries are so indicated that they are approximately parallel to center lines of streets or highways, such district boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distance therefrom.

(1) Promotion of adaptive reuse and redevelopment of buildings, strengthening historic main streets and cultural centers, and revitalization of walkable historic centers.
(2) Encouragement of investment in commercial and residential areas, revitalization of our neighborhoods and business districts.
(3) Protection of historic and other assets from potential threats.
(4) Advancement of quality, sustainable design and construction that has the capacity for future reuse.
(5) The matching of development intensity with sustainable infrastructure capacity.