Residential
As a homeowner or property investor, it’s essential that you understand zoning laws to avoid legal complications and maximize your property’s potential. From turning your home into a business to adding on an addition, knowing which zones your property falls in will determine which activities can and cannot take place on it.
Residential zoning regulations outline how property owners may utilize their land, while providing specific rules that shape neighborhoods and protect property values. This may include height restrictions, yard requirements and parking standards. Zoning regulations also serve to avoid incompatible uses such as industrial facilities near residential areas.
Dependent upon the type of zoning, rezoning applications may need to undergo public notification and hearing processes prior to being considered by a zoning board. You must demonstrate to it that any proposed changes won’t have any significant effects on neighboring properties and meet community needs; then they’ll review your application and give their verdict and recommendation.
Industrial
Zoning regulations typically organize municipalities into distinct land-use districts. These may include residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed use zones depending on local planning and development goals as outlined in a comprehensive plan. A zoning map and regulations outline which land uses are permissible within each zone.
Zoning regulations often include provisions for erosion and sedimentation control to help municipalities protect valuable soils, protect water quality and maintain aesthetics. Such requirements help preserve vital resources while safeguarding aesthetics.
Some municipalities use incentive zoning to encourage specific types of development in designated areas. Under this type of zoning, developers may exceed any dimensions or density limitations in exchange for providing public benefits or amenities. These benefits and amenities may be either financial or non-financial in nature; such as open space, parking facilities and transportation infrastructure. Cities should carefully evaluate these options using an analytical framework which accounts for tradeoffs. Hills and Schleicher provide two common arguments in favor of industrial-only zoning: industry could fear being sued by residents for nuisances; or productivity gains from geographic concentration could outweigh deadweight losses for individual firms.
Mixed-Use
Mixed-use buildings and neighborhoods create walkable environments that foster sustainable lifestyles while encouraging social integration.
These areas often boast public plazas, parks and gardens to foster a sense of community while offering housing options to accommodate diverse income levels in order to promote diversity and inclusivity.
Mixed-use developments can often be found in redeveloped inner-city commercial districts; however, mixed-use development projects are being built throughout cities. No matter their location, these spaces play a vital role in most communities.
Bulk regulations specified in Article II, Chapter 3, shall generally apply to buildings or structures used partially for manufacturing, commercial, or community facility uses and partially as dwellings; with the exception of Section 123-60’s optional bulk allowances being waived off. If applicable, floor area bonus provisions of Section 12-13 shall also be applied when buildings or structures serve dual-use purposes.