"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."
Zoning and land use regulations are tools used by local governments to control the development and use of land in specific areas of a city or town.
Zoning Basics: Understanding the principles and concepts of zoning laws, such as different types of zoning, property use, setbacks, and density regulations.
Comprehensive Plan: A land use plan that outlines policies and strategies for the future development of a community or region.
Land Use Regulations: Laws that dictate how land can be used in specific areas, including residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
Site Plan Review: A process that evaluates a proposed development plan to ensure that it meets local zoning codes and regulations.
Special Use Permit: A permit that grants permission to use a property in a specific way that may not be permitted by current zoning laws.
Conditional Use Permit: A permit that allows a property owner to use their land for a specific purpose if certain conditions are met.
Zoning Ordinance: A set of laws that regulate land use and development within a municipality.
Non-Conforming Uses: Uses of a property that existed before the current zoning laws went into effect and do not conform to current zoning regulations.
Zoning Board of Appeals: A board that hears appeals from property owners who have been denied permits or who have been cited for a zoning violation.
Zoning Map: A map that depicts the different zoning districts in a community or region.
Land-Use Intensity: A measure of the amount of development that takes place on a piece of land, including buildings, parking areas, and other structures.
Urban Design: The planning and design of the physical layout of a community or region, including the layout of buildings, streets, and other infrastructure.
Transit-Oriented Development: A development model that focuses on creating high-density, mixed-use developments near public transportation systems.
Smart Growth: A development model that emphasizes sustainable and environmentally friendly development practices.
Historic Preservation: The protection and preservation of historic structures and buildings in a community.
Residential zoning: This is the most common type of zoning and is used to separate areas for residential use, usually based on the density of the housing.
Commercial zoning: This type of zoning is designed for commercial businesses and can often be found within urban areas.
Industrial zoning: This type of zoning is used for manufacturing and other industrial activities. It is often located on the outskirts of urban areas due to the potential noise and other environmental impacts.
Agricultural zoning: This type of zoning is typically used for farming or other agricultural activities.
Historic preservation: This type of zoning is used to protect historic buildings and landmarks from demolition or redevelopment.
Mixed-use zoning: This type of zoning blends residential, commercial, and industrial uses, typically within the same building or block.
Transit-oriented development (TOD): This type of zoning encourages development around public transportation hubs to reduce car use and promote walking or cycling.
Environmental zoning: This type of zoning is used to protect natural resources, such as wetlands, forests, or wildlife habitats.
Open space zoning: This type of zoning is designed to preserve open space, such as parks, greenbelts, and nature preserves.
Incentive zoning: This type of zoning provides incentives, such as tax breaks or increased building density, to encourage developers to incorporate specific features, such as affordable housing or sustainable design, into their projects.
"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."