Zoning Areas to Consider for Your Property

When looking to buy a home or property it is important to consider the zoning area requirements and how that can effect your land.

What Is Zoning? 

Zoning laws regulate the use of land within a municipality. It controls the ways in which the land can be developed and what purposes the zoned land can serve.

Residential Zoning

Residential zoning can cover issues such as whether mobile homes can be placed on the property and the number of structures allowed on a certain property.

Zoning laws typically limit the type of animals allowed at a residence. Domestic pets such as dogs, birds, and cats are generally not regulated, but chickens, sheep, horses, llamas, pigs, and cows are subject to certain requirements. 

Many laws prohibit keeping these farm animals in residential neighborhoods. Others limit the number of animals based on the size of the property.

Commercial Zoning

Commercial zoning usually has several categories and depends on the business use of the property, and often the number of business patrons. Almost any kind of real estate (other than single-family home and single-family lots) can be considered commercial real estate.

Examples of commercial zoning include: 

• Office buildings 
• Shopping centers
• Nightclubs 
• Hotels
• Certain warehouses 
• Some apartment complexes as well as vacant land that has the potential for development into these types of buildings 

Industrial Zoning

Like commercial zoning, industrial zoning can be specific to the type of business. Environmental factors, including noise concerns and industrial use, determine into which industrial zone a business falls. Manufacturing plants and many storage facilities have industrial zoning. Certain businesses like airports may have their own designation.

Agricultural Zoning

Agricultural zoning is generally used by communities that are concerned about maintaining the economic viability of the agricultural industry. 

Agricultural zoning typically limits the density of development. It also restricts non-farm uses of the land. 

In many agricultural zoning ordinances, the density is controlled by setting a large minimum lot size for a residential dwelling unit. Densities may vary depending upon the type of agricultural operation. 

Agricultural zoning can protect farming communities from becoming fragmented by residential development. In many states, agricultural zoning is necessary for federal voluntary incentive programs, subsidy programs, and programs that provide for additional tax abatements.

The “rural” zoning district is often used for farms or ranches. In certain parts of the country, this class includes residences zoned to allow horses or cattle.

For more information on these zoning areas and to begin the search for a property that fits your desires contact our team at https://www.cedarframe.com/contact!