Zoning is a system of land use regulation used by governments to regulate and direct the development of property within their jurisdiction. It involves dividing a city or municipality into different zones or districts, each with specific regulations on what types of land uses are allowed and how properties in those zones can be developed. Zoning laws typically govern factors such as:
Permitted Uses: What activities or structures can occur on a parcel of land (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural).
Building Height and Size: Maximum allowable building heights, the size of structures, and how much of the land can be covered by buildings.
Density: How many housing units or structures can be built on a particular plot of land.
Setbacks: The required distance between a building and the property line, street, or other structures.
Parking Requirements: The number of parking spaces required for certain types of developments.
Design Guidelines: Aesthetic regulations for how buildings should look, especially in historic or special districts.
Zoning ensures that land use is organized and compatible within a community, helping to avoid conflicts between different types of development, manage growth, and protect public health, safety, and welfare. Zoning regulations can be adjusted through processes like variances, rezonings, or conditional use permits when changes or exceptions to the rules are requested.