Zoning — How Land Use Is Regulated

Zoning is the government's power to regulate how land is used.

Common zoning categories:

R — Residential (R-1, R-2, etc.)

C — Commercial

I — Industrial / Manufacturing

A — Agricultural

PUD — Planned Unit Development (mixed use)

Nonconforming use: A use that existed legally before a zoning change. May continue but usually cannot be expanded.

Variance: Permission to deviate from zoning requirements. Must prove hardship. Granted by zoning board.

Special use permit: Allows a use that is not normally permitted in a zone but is conditionally acceptable (e.g., a daycare in a residential zone).

Spot zoning: Rezoning a single parcel inconsistently with the surrounding area. Often illegal.

Eminent domain: Government's power to take private property for public use. Must pay just compensation. Process is called condemnation. The 5th Amendment protects against taking without compensation.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Zoning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning_in_the_United_States