Zoning

Zoning is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Comprehensive Plan through the administration of zoning, subdivision regulations, and site plan review.

What is Zoning?

Zoning is a set of regulations that most cities use to govern the locations of “uses” (e.g. residential, commercial, or industrial), the size of buildings, and how buildings relate to their surroundings, including other buildings, open spaces, and the street.

Zoning began as a tool in the U.S. to separate uses from one another, and in particular was used to separate more impactful uses (manufacturing) from more sensitive uses (residential).

Zoning regulations also determine the placement and orientation of structures upon a lot or parcel of land.

Responsibilities

Zoning has varied responsibilities. It serves as the secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. Serving these bodies, as well as the City Council and the Community Redevelopment Agency; it is the Division's monthly responsibility to process individual applications, prepare staff reports, legal advertisements, location maps, and notify surrounding property owners in support of the various zoning legal processes.

Additional responsibilities include assisting the general public and construction professionals in providing information relative to proposed development, as well as review of building and site plans through the administration of the City's Land Development Code.