Zoning & Land Use Glossary

Zoning: A set of local laws that determine how land can be used. Zoning regulates what type of buildings can be built and how they can be used (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial).
Zoning Map: The official map of a city or county showing the zoning designation of each parcel of land.
Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA or BOA): A local board that hears and decides requests for variances, special exceptions, and appeals of zoning decisions.
Overlay District / Overlay Zone: A zoning layer applied on top of base zoning that adds extra rules or guidelines—often used for historic districts, floodplains, or design standards.
Use Table: A chart in the zoning code that outlines what uses are allowed, prohibited, or conditionally permitted in each zoning district.
Use by Right / Permitted Use: A land use that is automatically allowed in a zoning district without needing special approvals.
Legal Nonconforming: A property or use that doesn’t comply with current zoning but was legally established under prior rules. Also called 'grandfathered'.

Specific Use Permit or Special Use Permit (SUP): A permit allowing a land use that isn’t typically allowed under the zoning but may be permitted under specific conditions with approval from a governing body.
Variance: A request to deviate from current zoning requirements. Property owners typically ask for a variance when strict enforcement of the rules would cause hardship.
Rezoning (Zoning Change): The process of changing the zoning classification of a property. This often involves public notice, hearings, and approval from city council or another local authority.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO): A document issued by a local authority certifying that a building is safe and ready to be occupied for its intended use.
Building Permit: Authorization from the city to begin construction. Requires plans that comply with zoning, building codes, and other regulations.
Entitlements: Legal approvals required before you can develop a property. These may include zoning, platting, site plan approval, and building permits.

Planned Development (PD): A customized zoning district negotiated between the property owner and the city. It allows more flexibility than standard zoning but often involves detailed site plans and development standards.
Site-Specific Zoning: Custom zoning applied to a single property, usually through a PD or development agreement, rather than broad zoning districts.
Development Agreement: A negotiated contract between a local government and a developer outlining terms for land use, infrastructure, timing, and responsibilities.
Mixed-Use Development: A project that combines residential, commercial, office, or other uses in a single development or building—often encouraged in urban zoning.
Impact Fees: Fees charged to developers to help pay for public infrastructure (e.g., roads, schools, utilities) needed due to new development.

Setback: The minimum distance a building must be placed from a property line, street, or another structure.
Height Limit: The maximum height a building can be under local zoning regulations. Often measured in feet or number of stories.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR): A measure of building size relative to lot size. Higher FAR means you can build more square footage on your lot.
Density: Refers to the number of units allowed per acre (e.g., 10 units/acre for residential zoning). Often used to control how crowded or spacious development can be.
Buffer: A required landscaped area (or wall/fence) between different land uses to reduce impacts like noise, light, or traffic.
Site Plan: A detailed drawing showing the layout of buildings, parking, landscaping, and infrastructure for a development project.

Plat (Platting): The process of legally dividing land into lots, typically required before development or sale.
Subdivision: The act of dividing a large tract of land into smaller lots, often subject to platting and local approval processes.
Easement: A legal right for someone else to use part of your land for a specific purpose (e.g., utility lines, drainage, or access).
Right-of-Way (ROW): Land set aside for transportation purposes, such as streets, sidewalks, or utilities. Often publicly owned.

Comprehensive Plan: A city’s big-picture document outlining goals for growth, transportation, housing, and land use over 10–20 years.
Land Use Plan (Future Land Use Map): A city’s long-term vision for development, showing what kinds of uses are appropriate in different areas.
Public Hearing: A formal meeting where citizens and stakeholders can comment on land use decisions like rezoning, variances, or permit requests.

Infill Development: New construction on vacant or underused land within existing urban areas. Encouraged in many cities to reduce sprawl.
Annexation: The process by which a city expands its boundaries to include new land. Zoning may be applied as part of the annexation.
Spot Zoning: Changing the zoning of a single parcel in a way that benefits a property owner but is inconsistent with the surrounding zoning or comprehensive plan. This typically involves allowing a use that is out of character with the surrounding area, such as introducing an industrial use in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Downzoning: Changing zoning to be more restrictive, such as reducing allowable density or prohibiting certain uses.
Upzoning: Changing zoning to allow for more intensive or flexible land use, often to promote development or higher density.
Deed Restriction: A private legal limitation on how land can be used, separate from zoning. May be more restrictive and enforced by property owners or associations.

Comments