Learning more about zoning laws and what types there are can be important for anyone who is planning to build or purchase real estate. From residential to commercial, each category has its own rules and regulations that you must follow.
Residential zoning
There are a variety of residential zone types, such as single family residences or suburban homesteads. The number of large structures allowed is typically restricted. In addition, there are laws regarding varieties of animals allowed on the property. Certain common farm animals, such as sheep or horses, are typically not permitted in residential zones.
When using your house for a home business, there are certain other legal guidelines you must adhere to, in addition to the previous ones. For example, there are laws that regulate the hours you may be open for business, the amount of noise you make, or even areas designated for parking spots or deliveries.
Commercial and industrial zoning
Commercial building refers to complexes such as offices, hotels, shopping centers, warehouses and other types of businesses and commercial properties. In contrast, industrial zoning is more focused on manufacturing or storage of goods. Both of these types have regulations on what varieties of stores or complexes are legal to construct.
The categorization of some buildings comes from guidelines about a certain height the building can or cannot be, or even the number of floors that can be built in a multi-story building.
Other zoning categories
Agricultural or rural zoning refers to the usage of other large patches of land for farms. Certain protections exist for these areas in order to preserve natural resources. In addition, if you find you use the land for multiple reasons, you may benefit from looking into combination zoning. This allows for unique usages that fall outside the common designations.
Different types of zoning can be complicated to understand. If you have questions about land you own or land you wish to purchase, discussing potential zoning issues with an attorney can be a good place to start.
