Zoning

Welcome to the Zoning section of FindLaw's Real Estate Center. Zoning ordinances typically divide an area into districts or zones—residential, commercial, and industrial—and require that property use conform to the zone type. Most of these laws derive from a desire to create a pleasant place to live. Very few people would like to live near a huge factory, for instance. However, zoning laws are changing rapidly as more people want to live closer or even alongside commercial areas and their workplaces. This section provides legal information on zoning compliance, challenges to zoning ordinances, and more. Keep checking back here for updates in the law.