"Zoning is a method in which a municipality or other tier of government divides land into 'zones', each of which has a set of regulations for new development that differs from other zones."
The legal framework governing land use, including zoning laws, building codes, and environmental regulations.
Types of Zoning: A review of the various forms of zoning, including residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use.
Zoning Ordinances: A discussion of the components of zoning ordinances, including use zoning, area zoning, and setback requirements.
Comprehensive Planning: An overview of the process of comprehensive planning, which involves the preparation of a plan that addresses future land use, transportation, and other key issues within a community.
Conditional Use Permits: A discussion of the process for obtaining a conditional use permit, including the legal requirements that must be met.
Variances: An overview of zoning variances, which allow property owners to deviate from strict zoning requirements.
Nonconforming Uses: A discussion of the rights of property owners who have developed their property in a way that does not conform to the current zoning requirements.
Eminent Domain: A review of the powers of eminent domain, which are used to acquire property for public use.
Land Trusts: An overview of the use of land trusts to preserve open space and protect natural resources.
Land Use Litigation: A review of the legal challenges that may arise in connection with land use decisions, including challenges to zoning decisions and lawsuits brought by property owners or developers.
Environmental Impact Statements: An overview of the requirements for preparing environmental impact statements in connection with land use decisions that may impact the environment.
Residential zoning: This type of zoning governs the use and development of residential areas, restricting businesses or industrial activities.
Commercial zoning: It regulates commercial activities such as retail stores, office buildings, and shopping centers, generally located along main roads or highways.
Industrial zoning: It regulates industrial activities such as factories, warehouses, and production facilities. It ensures that these activities are located in areas that have been specifically designated for industry.
Agricultural zoning: This type of zoning regulates land for agricultural purposes, such as farmland, orchards, or livestock farms.
Mixed-use zoning: It allows for a combination of residential, commercial, and industrial activities within the same area, promoting a more diverse community.
Historical preservation zoning: It ensures that buildings or areas with historical significance are protected against demolition or alterations that would negatively impact their historic value.
Open space zoning: This type of zoning is used to protect natural landscapes, parks, and recreation areas, limiting development in designated areas.
Transit-oriented zoning: It promotes public transportation by allowing for increased density and mixed-use development near transportation hubs.
Inclusionary zoning: It requires developers to include affordable housing units in new or existing developments, promoting mixed-income neighborhoods.
Height restrictions: It limits the height of buildings to prevent them from being too tall, preserving the character of the surrounding area.
Parking requirements: It regulates the number of parking spaces required for new or existing developments, ensuring adequate parking and minimizing congestion.
Signage regulations: It regulates the size, type, and location of signs for businesses, reducing visual clutter and maintaining aesthetic values.
Setback requirements: It establishes minimum distances between buildings and property lines to maintain open space around buildings and to prevent overcrowding.
Buffer zones: It creates physical barriers, such as landscaping or fencing, between different types of land uses to minimize conflicts and disturbances.
Development agreements: It establishes agreements between developers and the government on specific zoning requirements or community benefits in exchange for permits and approvals.
"Zones may be defined for a single use (e.g. residential, industrial), they may combine several compatible activities by use, or in the case of form-based zoning, the differing regulations may govern the density, size and shape of allowed buildings whatever their use."
"The planning rules for each zone determine whether planning permission for a given development may be granted."
"These guidelines are set in order to guide urban growth and development."
"Zoning is the most common regulatory urban planning method used by local governments in developed countries."
"Exceptions include the United Kingdom and the City of Houston, Texas."
"Zoning laws that limit the construction of new housing (like single-family zoning) are associated with reduced affordability and are a major factor in residential segregation in the United States by income and race."
"Zones may be defined for a single use (e.g. residential, industrial)."
"They may combine several compatible activities by use."
"The differing regulations may govern the density, size and shape of allowed buildings whatever their use."
"The planning rules for each zone determine whether planning permission for a given development may be granted."
"These guidelines are set in order to guide urban growth and development."
"Zoning is the most common regulatory urban planning method used by local governments in developed countries."
"Exceptions include the United Kingdom and the City of Houston, Texas."
"Zoning laws that limit the construction of new housing (like single-family zoning) are associated with reduced affordability..."
"...and are a major factor in residential segregation in the United States by income and race."
"It may indicate the size and dimensions of lots that land may be subdivided into..."
"...or the form and scale of buildings."
"These guidelines are set in order to guide urban growth and development."
"Zoning is a method in which a municipality or other tier of government divides land into 'zones', each of which has a set of regulations for new development that differs from other zones."