Whether you want to construct a new building or make changes to an existing one, there’s a good chance your project will mean a journey into the world of land development and zoning.

What are zoning laws?

Zoning laws are municipal regulations that dictate how property owners can use their property, governing the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial and other purposes. Zoning divides communities into different sections – or zones – where these uses are permitted.

For example, land that’s zoned R-1 might allow only certain types of residential units, while something zoned C-1 could permit a mix of commercial uses and housing.

The four main zoning classifications are residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural, although they can be combined, so that you’ll have an area that’s “industrial/commercial.”

You can tell what’s what by looking at a zoning map: “A” for agricultural, “R” for residential and so on.

And within the zones are more narrow divisions. You can have residential zones that are cut up for apartments, single family homes, or mobile homes, for example. A commercial zone can have areas for smaller stores, warehouses, gas stations and restaurants. And industrial zones can be light or heavy industrial.

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