What is the difference between the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance?
Where the Master Plan is a guide of how the city would like to develop, the Zoning Ordinance is one tool (and most common) used to help implement the Master Plan. The Zoning Ordinance provides the specific rules and regulations that must be followed to develop or redevelop a piece of property. The Zoning Ordinance states what land uses are permitted in what zoning districts and the guidelines that must be followed to develop these uses, such as the required number of parking spaces, the setbacks from property lines and the height of the building. The official zoning map is a part of the Zoning Ordinance. Changes to the Zoning Ordinance or map can only be approved by the City Commission following the appropriate public hearings.
