What is the difference between Zoning, the Zoning Map, and the Zoning Ordinance?
Zoning refers to a concept whereby distinct areas of land are identified and designated for specific types of land uses, such as residential, commercial, and industrial. Zoning allows for orderly growth and development, and works to separate otherwise conflicting land uses. The Zoning Map depicts the physical boundaries of the various zones. The Zoning Ordinance provides the specific land use and construction limitations for each of the zones. The Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance are both part of the City’s Municipal Code and are enforceable by law. They are used together on a daily basis to evaluate requests for new construction, modifications to existing structures, and business license applications. Recently, changes and updates were made to Chapter 15, the section of the code covering Zoning. The newly updated Zoning Ordinance can be obtained on-line in PDF format from this site.
