Zoning laws regulate land use and development, including what can be built, how land can be divided or sold, and what kind of business can be run on a parcel of land. Local, state, and federal governments can be involved in zoning laws, which can dictate the height and materials used in constructing a structure, the size of a house, and who can own or buy land. Zoning laws also influence the type of business that can be operated on a property.
In many jurisdictions around the world, land use is strictly regulated by zoning laws. In general, these laws are the collection of all laws that pertain to land use and development. What can be built on a parcel of land, how land can be divided or sold, and what kind of business can be run on a parcel of land are all matters that fall within the purview of zoning laws.
In many countries of the world, land is precious. As a result, many governments have very strict laws governing how that land is used. Local, state, and federal governments can all be involved in zoning laws that directly affect land use.
A common issue that is often addressed by a zoning law is what can be built on a piece of land. National or federal laws, for example, may reserve certain areas of land as wilderness and prohibit any type of construction or development on the land. Local laws may dictate the height of a structure that can be built on a piece of land or what materials can be used in constructing the structure. For residential land use, local laws may require a house to be a certain size or may prohibit the construction of multi-family homes on certain properties.
In some countries, zoning laws will dictate how land can be divided or who can own it. Laws may prevent a landowner, for example, from subdividing their land to maintain a certain aspect of a neighborhood or subdivision. National or federal laws may also dictate who can buy land. In some countries, such as Mexico, non-citizens have historically been prevented from owning prime real estate, such as oceanfront properties.
Zoning laws will have a strong influence on the type of business that can be operated on a property in many jurisdictions. In the United States, local laws can determine everything from what a business can sell to how many cars can be parked on the property, for example. Within the United States, these laws generally divide property into commercial, industrial, or residential zones, with many subzones within those categories. Before purchasing a piece of land or planning to open a business on a piece of property, a business owner should carefully consult all zoning laws to be certain that the laws allow for the type of business desired.
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