Codes, Regulations, and Policies Flashcards
Zoning
Separation of land uses or functions into separate districts or zones. Implemented through local legislation.
Name several purposes of zoning
-Protect/maintain property value
-Public health & safety
-Env. protection
-Aesthetics
-traffic management
-Density management
-Control of housing development
-Encourage business development
Name some elements that are regulated by zoning
-Land uses
-Size of lots
-Density
-Building location, height, and bulk.
-setbacks
-parking
-landscaping
-Signage
Planning / Zoning commission
-Made up of community residents
-typically appointed by elected government.
-make determinations on planning proposals.
Board of zoning appeals / zoning adjustment
Quasi judicial group. Hears cases for variants, special exceptions, and appeals of staff determinations.
City Council
Governing body in a city. Makes final determination on zoning issues.
Zoning text / zoning ordinance
Lays out the exact regulations of zoning. Adopted by law by the local government. Lists permitted and conditional uses.
Zoning map
Color coded map that shows the zoning for each property in a jurisdiction.
Zoning map colors (yellow)
Single-family
Zoning map colors (orange/brown)
multi family
Zoning map colors (red)
Commercial/retail
Zoning map colors (Green)
Open space / parks
Zoning map colors (Purple)
Industrial
Zoning map colors (blue)
government buildings, schools, airports, hospitals.
Zoning ordinance amendment
Can change requirements for all properties.
Zoning map amendments
Changes the zoning district on a particular property.
Who can initiate a zoning amendment.
Staff, Planning commission, governing body, and can be requested by a property owner.
Three types of zoning
- Euclidean zoning
- Cumulative
- Modified Cumulative zoning
Euclidean zoning
Most restrictions placed on residential land uses, less on commercial, and none on industrial. Named after Euclid, Ohio.
Cumulative zoning
Each successive zoning district allows all the uses from the previous zones. A single family house could be built in an industrial area but a factory could not be built in a residential area.
Modified cumulative zoning
Districts are typically cumulative by type of land use. A multi-family district would allow both single-family homes and multi-family housing. However, the industrial district would not allow residential uses.
Conditional use permit
Allows a use only when compatible with surrounding land uses. Can be specifically conditioned to fit better. Can run with land or with the ownership.
Nonconforming use
A property use that existed prior to the adoption of the district regulations and allowed to continue under the “grandfather clause”.
Amortization of a nonconforming use
Amortization sets a definite period of time within which the use must come into compliance with the zoning ordinance.
Accessory use
A use that is incidental to the main use of the property. Typically located on the same lot and smaller in size.
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)
Applies a different set of controls to a tract of land than standard zoning. Used for large developments. Zoning ordinance sets minimum and appropriate acreage for a PUD.
Overlay district
Set of additional restrictions placed over the top of an existing zone. Historic preservation, downtown, airports, etc.
Airport overlay district
Usually includes all land under flight patterns. In concentric bands representing noise levels. Usually restrict types of allowed uses and heights.
Variance
A change in the terms of the zoning regulations due to economic or physical hardship. Two types: the use variance and the area variance.
Use variance
allows a property to have a use not explicitly allowed under the zoning district regulations.
Area variance
Allows a property to be excluded from the physical site requirements under the zoning ordinance. building in setback area, height, etc.
Big box retail
Generally has 50,000 or more square feet in a large box.
Concentrated animal feeding operations
Include the practice of raising farm animals indoors and in high volumes. Right to farm laws can limit regulation by local governments.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
Ratio of a buildings total gross floor area and lot size. Used to control for light and air. FAR of 0.1 allows 1,000 sq ft building on a 10,000 sq ft lot.
Maximum parking standards
Alternative to minimum parking requirements. Controls for excessive amounts of parking and impervious area.
McMansion
Large houses that are mass produced and have perceived negative impacts on the community.
Teardown
The demolition of a home for the purposes of building a larger home on the same lot.
