zoning
The division of an area into zones or sections reserved for different purposes, such as residence, business, or manufacturing.
Refers to municipal laws that dictate how land can be used, what types of businesses can operate in specific areas, and the physical dimensions of buildings.
Word relationships
- land-use regulation: 'Land-use regulation' is a broad academic and legal term, while 'zoning' is the specific mechanism of dividing a city into geographic zones.
Commonly confused with
- districting: 'Districting' usually refers to drawing political boundaries for elections, whereas 'zoning' refers to drawing boundaries for land use.
Word family
- zone (noun): An area or stretch of land having a particular characteristic or use.
- zone (verb): To divide into zones.
Collocations
- zoning laws
- zoning variance
- zoning board
- commercial zoning
Example sentences
- "The developer had to petition the city council for a zoning variance to build a retail store in an area designated for light industrial use." A real estate developer's challenge.
- "Modern zoning laws emerged in the early twentieth century to prevent factories from being built directly adjacent to residential neighborhoods." An academic text on urban planning history.
Memory hook
Zoning laws draw a 'zone' (a belt) around a neighborhood to keep certain businesses in or out. Zoning: drawing belts of regulation around city land.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'zoning out', which is a slang term for losing focus or daydreaming.
Fun facts
- Houston, Texas, is famous for being the only major city in the United States without formal zoning laws. Instead, it relies on private covenant agreements to regulate land use.
Explore more words
ordinance, district, industrial, sector, densification, urbanization
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