Zoning

Zoning is a regulatory tool used in urban planning to divide land into designated districts or “zones,” each with specific land use and development standards. These zones help implement a community’s comprehensive plan by regulating what can be built and how land can be used within each area. 

Typical zoning classifications include residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zones, each with restrictions on building height, density, setbacks, and allowable uses. 

Zoning serves to minimize land use conflicts, preserve property values, and promote public health, safety, and welfare. While zoning is a common tool in urban planning, it comes with several downsides:

• Segregation of Uses: Traditional zoning often separates residential, commercial, and industrial uses, which can lead to car dependency, longer commutes, and less vibrant communities.

• Exclusionary Practices: Zoning regulations—like minimum lot sizes or restrictions on multi-family housing—can limit affordable housing options and exclude lower-income residents.

• Sprawl Promotion: By restricting density and mixed-use development, zoning can encourage outward expansion, consuming more land and increasing infrastructure costs.

• Historical Inequities: In some cases, zoning has been used to reinforce racial and economic segregation, intentionally or not.