What is zone?

Answer 1

Zoning refers to the collection of laws and regulations that are applied to various land uses. A zoning ordinance may also be called a "land use regulation" or something similar. It is a tool for protection of the public health, safety and general welfare by limiting what land owners can build upon or do with their properties.

In general, zoning laws at the state level empower municipalities to regulate land uses in their towns within certain limits. Many towns establish minimum lot sizes, setback distances and density maximums for residential areas. Where land is unincorporated, many counties have the power to adopt and enforce their own zoning regulations.

More complicated zoning regulations create different Types of zones, according to their primary uses, such as residential, industrial, commercial, or rural. Other types of zones include airports, historical zones, and mixed uses among different types.

The building officials, planning board and zoning boards generally draft and enforce the ordinances adopted by the municipality. To obtain a building permit, change of occupancy, or a subdivision approval, the zoning regulations must be followed.

Within each geographically defined zone the regulations will define the permitted uses, conditional uses, special exceptions, and sometimes even specific unpermitted (prohibited) uses. For example, a heavy industry may be prohibited in a residential zone and its buffer areas.

However, regardless of whether local zoning is followed, there may be additional restrictions at the state (or federal) level which are more restrictive and must also be considered. For example, a state shoreland protection law can establish minimum lot sizes or septic setback regulations (among many other restrictions) for property along rivers and lakes, which are larger than normally allowed by the municipal regulations.

See related articles on Types of Zoning.

Answer 2

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