What else do zoning laws regulate?

Zoning laws regulate a number of different things. They may indicate exactly what can be done with a given piece of land. For example, a residential zone must have only residential property, while you cannot typically live in a commercial zone. They may list the appropriate or reasonable uses for a given tract of land. They may create open space, such as a park or "buffer" zone between buildings as part of urban planning. However, most of these purposes of zoning laws are relatively basic and obvious, and there may be other things that zoning laws regulate as well.

Besides restricting the uses that can be made of land and buildings, zoning laws may also regulate:

• The dimensional requirements for lots and for buildings on property located within the town (i.e. in some areas, you may not be able to build a home unless it is on at least an acre of land).
• The density of development, and whether you can have pigeons, dogs, sheep or llamas.
• The extraction of natural resources from land within the zoned area.
• The space available  for hospitals, parks, schools, and open space.
• The protection and preservation of places of historical significance within the community.

The main purpose of these and other zoning laws is to create a community that is a safe, logical, and comfortable place to live and work. Without zoning laws, factories could spring up next to nice homes and neighborhoods and playgrounds could be dotted amidst bars and nightclubs. Zoning laws are thus an important part of urban and community planning.

If you have concerns about zoning rules or requirements or want more information about the zoning laws in your area, you should consult with a lawyer or contact your local zoning board for details on what they do.