What is zoning and how does it regulate property use?

Zoning is the local government's primary tool for regulating land use, dividing a jurisdiction into districts and specifying what types of uses are permitted in each. Common zoning categories include residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and mixed-use. Zoning ordinances also regulate building height, setback distances from property lines, lot coverage percentages, parking requirements, and density. Zoning is an exercise of police power aimed at protecting public health, safety, and welfare by separating incompatible uses.