Zoning is the public regulation of the use of land. It involves the adoption of an ordinance which divides a community into various districts or zones. Each district lists the permitted uses of land within that zone, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. Typical zoning regulations address building height, bulk, lot area, setbacks, parking, signage, and density. Zoning is considered a "police power", which means it is one of a number of laws which are adopted to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the City and its residents.
Purposes for Zoning Include:
Protecting property values
Implementing to Master Plan
Protecting natural resources
Preventing nuisance
Ensuring compatibility of uses
Preventing overcrowding
Preventing overuse
Why Plan?
Planning permits communities to make choices and set goals, rather than just accept what happens
Planning helps prevent wasteful expenditure of public and private funds
Planning helps to protect property values
Planning helps to achieve orderly growth and development
Planning helps to minimize the negative impacts of community change while maximizing the positive aspects
Planning aids in economic development
What is a Variance?
A variance is license to modify the zoning law
There are two types of variances: use variances and non-use variances.
A variance is usually granted when a minor variation in the ordinance is requested which removes a hardship from the requesting party and does not circumvent the ordinance.