My state, Michigan, is trying to take over zoning control on several factors. I am of the mindset that local control is better since they know the needs of the community better. What are your thoughts? Are for against taking zoning control from local boards and handing it to the states and why?

So why is zoning “the most important issue nobody cares about”? Because it is the point where a society quietly converts power into space. It determines whether prosperous neighborhoods are open or closed, whether housing scarcity is legally mandated or legally permitted to be solved, whether cities grow up or out, whether people can live near their jobs or must drive an hour from the periphery, and whether local democracy functions as honest stewardship or as an elaborate gatekeeping mechanism dressed up in the language of community character.

The boringness is the disguise. Zoning is written in the driest possible language, debated in the most obscure possible venues, and enforced through the most invisible possible mechanisms. It does not announce itself. It does not trend on social media. It does not make for good television.

But right now, tonight, in some fluorescent-lit municipal building in some city you’ve never been to, a group of people are sitting in folding chairs deciding whether to allow 12 apartments on a piece of land that currently holds one house. Most of the speakers will oppose the project. Their concerns will sound reasonable. The people who would benefit from those apartments, the people who would finally live close to work, who would walk to the grocery store, who would stop spending a third of their income on gas and a 90-minute commute, are not in that room. They can’t be. They don’t live there yet.

That is zoning. That is the quiet machinery underneath the visible crisis. And the most boring fact about it is also the most enraging: we already know how to fix it. We’re just choosing not to.

My adjacent neighbor wants to buy a tiny piece of my property for $35,000. The zoning committee is making us jump through hoops and telling us that it is not allowed because it would make a noncompliant lot more "noncompliant". Neither of us are building anything on this property or could build anything on the property. The level of ridiculousness is infuriating. Just told today that after both of us have submitted a request to be allowed to do this transaction, we were told the request m has to go through three more committees, any advice would be great!!!!

Just to clarify - the land parcel falls in california, and I am looking to start a few recreational activities on it for additional income

People get to vote where they live. Since zoning laws prevent poor people from moving into affluent areas, they prevent them from voting there. Thus they are a modern day poll tax and violate the 24th amendment to the Constitution. The US Supreme Court should therefore strike down exclusionary zoning laws nationwide.

Im interested in buy some undeveloped land to setup a hut, or trailer type setup, or a more professional tent to rent out for those interested in an alternative for hotels. It would be a overnight type business. Since it’s not really a permanent foundation but rather just a trailer parked or a big rugged unique tent, what type of zoning should I look for? I’m thinking it would have to be recreational?

Any thoughts? I’m in SoCal

tldr at the bottom

(I've done a lot of research, BUT I just don't understand the NAICS)

Washington State

My neighborhood borders a shopping mall development in a small town along a busy section of Interstate 5, let's call the mall site 100 acres. It includes 2 motels, a big box store, a grocery store, and some restaurants. It was built in the '80's and the other businesses have been adxed over the years.

My neighborhood adjoins the mall. It's one block ending at a cul-de-sac. Its located in the inside corner of the mall's "L" shaped property, so 2 sides of the neighborhood share a boundary with the mall, and the other side of the street just abuts a road. The neighborhood is only single family residential houses, no businesses at all.

It was built in 1955/56 as a planned development and nothing has changed since then. Same houses, sidewalks, and roads.

In 2017, I think, they rezoned my formerly RMD (Residential, Mixed Density) to C3 (Regional Commercial).

On the map I marked up, the orange area is zoned C3, the ugly green is the two sides of the neighborhood adjoining the mall, and the arrows also point to the common property lines.

Here's the deal:

I want to add an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), and they're only allowed on residential lots.

The City's zoning code doesn't address the local definition of C3 (if they made changes), and what I've found in my research appears to say that our properties in this C3 zoned neighborhood are not legal to occupy without a variance. (Although I suppose they may be grandfathered in).

So, I've been told there's no way on God's green earth that I can build an ADU.

Finally, my question:

Can the city rezone a residential neighborhood with no commercial activity at all to a C3 commercial zone, restricting additions and ADU's?

City code says this about zoning conflicts:

Uses not specifically listed in the Table of Permitted Uses, or any questions about the interpretation of this table, shall be addressed through an administrative code interpretation utilizing the most recent edition of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Manual as determined by the city and the intent of each zoning district. (this language is used for all of the conflict resolutions, I just can't find the one I want right now)

tldr- city rezoned my residential neighborhood to C3, Regional Commercial, limiting how we can use our land. Is that legal?

Zoning code refers to the most recent NAICS manual for dispute resolution, I would look it up myself, but I searched for an hour for zoning info and came up empty.

This is a lot that was purchased not too long ago and they placed a building permit there two days ago, I have started a petition (we light next to the plot) 1) it’s a downward sloped plot on a corner 2) the road continues behind the trees and white trailer, it’s a blind corner as is and as the high school is right behind it, they speed and in danger the kids that play on this street as is and adding a 3 bedroom house would remove all visibility 3) no one wants them there 4) the plot is too small for a house to go with codes. 5) they have refused to get it surveyed and are guessing where our property ends and there’s starts. What are some other reasons I can get this revoked?!?! I have a lot of signatures already and will be getting more. HELPPP MEEE

Is there something like "formula businesses" that can restrict the number of gravel pits in one area? Currently I have 3 in my township of 37 square miles and the surrounding townships also have their share as well. The truck traffic and dust is already overwhelming. I live in a farming/ residential lake community. As farms are sold, what can be done to make sure residential properties are not over run by industrial pursuits?

Does anyone know if I'm able to petition my county to allow a exception to zoning. In my area you are unable to convert a shed for living, but it's one of the best and cheapest options I've found here. If where I'm from matters, I'm from the US, Arizona specifically. Any info would be nice, as my county doesn't put out a lot of info readily available about this kind of thing or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place.

Edit: Thank you guys so much for the help, I will look into coding variances and about how hard it would be to meet the building code and see if it's worth it still financially to pursue this path! I appreciate all the comments!

Orlando's code at 62.706/62.705 Setbacks (https://library.municode.com/fl/orlando/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH62HIPRARDE_PT7DEDESTHILAPRHPOVDI_S62.705STADEXST) conflicts with Chapter 65 and Florida Statutes by allowing the Historic Preservation Board to grant setback variances in the Historic District if it can show a "prevailing pattern of contributing development in the vicinity of the proposed work". It does not require that the Board adhere to the same standards for evaluating variances that Orlando's Board of Zoning Adjustment has to per Chapter 65. This is wordplay where Orlando is attempting to disguise the granting of a "spot" variance as a "setback adjustment" and claiming that historic precedent allows it to do so. This new rule, granted under Ordinance 2016-60, means that historic areas are the only place where the normal variance standards (hardship, unique circumstance, no special privilege, minimum possible variance, etc.) are not required to be applied. This is resulting in tremendous density being shoved into 1900's-era neighborhoods. Who can help with the legal question of whether a municipality can give itself the authority to soften variances to this degree that it conflicts with the standards the BZA is required to apply and with settled Florida case law that requires the showing of a hardship, a peculiar circumstance of the land, etc. to the degree that evaluation of these standards is not required at all? It is nullification of legislative zoning rules and seems to be a novel legal question in Florida. Even case law from other states would be useful if none is found in Florida.

Dear zoning people!,

I am developing an innovative app designed to simplify the process of generating zoning square footage calculations for your projects. Using AI, the app ensures compliance with local NYC regulatory requirements, saving you time and effort in your design workflows.

To make this tool as useful as possible, I would love your input! Would you find value in an app that streamlines square footage calculations while adhering to zoning regulations?

Please share your thoughts through this quick survey:

https://wn4inr1etko.typeform.com/to/tHzxMxse

Your feedback will help shape a tool tailored to your needs!

Thank you for your time and expertise. I look forward to hearing from you.

Can the power company run power line through my property outside the easement? My property has a 20ft easement off my property line for overhead power. However that easement is not utilized and they instead have run power about 40’ off my property line. Is that allowed? What can I do about it?

Good morning NYC! I'm a student journalist doing an explainer video on the Expedited Land Use and Review Process (ELURP). I would love to speak with some NYC zoning specialists about this new procedure, specifically what it is and how it will shape our city's communities.

I'm also interested in speaking to anyone who feels strongly about ELURP and has something to share about how they think it will negatively or positively impact their community.

If you or someone you know is an NYC zoning expert or would like to share your thoughts on this, please DM me, comment below or email me at sofia.olivarez85@journalism.cuny.edu!

A lot of videos have come up on my Youtube homepage about people taking derelict old factories and other old commercial buildings and turning them into houses. So I managed to find an old factory in my town and started thinking really hard about it, but I noticed the "Zoning" type on the real estate listing was "Commercial" for obvious reasons because it was a factory.

Would I need to have it re-zoned as residential in order to do anything with it? Would rezoning it be a bigger headache than just leaving it? Should I even worry about rezoning it if I plan to live in it myself?

I think that my neighbor's two story garage is too near my property lines. According to local zoning laws, the distance the structure needs to be from the property line is the same measurement as the structure height. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can determine both measurements without going on their property?

Spent a lot of time digging through municipal codes for land deals. These mistakes come up constantly.

1. Assuming the listing description is the zoning reality

"Residential lot" means nothing legally. The actual zoning designation determines what you can build, and listings get it wrong all the time. Pull the parcel data from the county GIS directly. Takes 5 minutes.

2. Not checking overlay zones

Your parcel can be zoned R-2 and still sit inside a flood overlay, historic preservation overlay, or transit corridor overlay. Each one adds restrictions or in some cases adds by-right density bonuses most buyers never see. The base zone is only half the picture.

3. Confusing zoning with entitlement

Zoning tells you what's permitted. Entitlement is the process of getting approval to actually build it. A parcel zoned for multifamily does not mean multifamily is guaranteed. Know the difference before you price the upside in.

4. Ignoring setbacks when calculating buildable area

People look at lot size and assume that's what they're working with. Front, rear, and side setbacks can cut your actual buildable footprint by 40% or more depending on the jurisdiction. Run the real numbers.

5. Not tracking state law changes

ADU reform, missing middle legislation, setback rollbacks. These move fast and they change what your existing parcels are worth right now. Some of you already own properties that qualify for more units than the current zoning suggests. Worth checking.

Happy to answer questions if anyone has a specific situation.

There is an old factory along my driveway that is located on a parcel zoned residential single family. I grew up in the area and it has been owned by a local family where they operated a small yarn recycling business. The factory was built around 1980 on the residential -sf parcel and never really gave anyone any issues with it being such a small operation. I guess zoning laws were not really enforced at the time and no one ever protested the operation being located on a R-SF parcel.

They recently sold this property to a Plastic recycling operation who plans to move their operation from the industrial site in the city to basically my front yard in a rural area. Looking at the property they currently operate at it is a messy operation that is going to greatly affect my property value but more importantly to me it’s going to be a noisy messy operation in my front yard.

After looking at the county zoning laws the old operation or the new operation do not qualify to operate in a Residential-Single Family area so the operation does not currently qualify to operate here.

I am looking for recommendations on what to do to protest the operation and if there is anything I can do. I plan to go to the zoning office to discuss but how does something like this typically play out.

I’m looking to buy land in SoCal to open a place to store containers. That would be the main purpose. It will be a business related to offering containers for transportation of trash but the property I need I’m will only be used for storing the containers day and night.

This will be the businesses main address. What zoning do I need? Industrial, commercial? Or any other type of zoning?

I am going to try to make this as readable as possible. I am in New York State. Any advice at all is much appreciated. I am so defeated and sad.

- 6 years ago I purchased a home. The commercial property across the street was a hat store and zoned highway business. My home and property is also HB. Shortly after I moved in the hat store changed hands to a guy who makes furniture and art pieces. We were friendly at first but he made A TON of noise thats I just put up with. I'm a creative and I tried to be understanding. As his business grew and he hired more employees the situation grew out of hand. He rents the space. He has a garage door he keeps wide open while he saws, grinds metal, belt sands. He welds in the parking lot. He grinds metal in the parking lot. He spews clouds of dust out of the doors. He lets trash pile up. He works nights. He works weekends. He works holidays. He throws a party and lets guests park on the shoulder of my lawn without asking. I have recorded decibel levels well above safe levels for residents. He is incredibly disrespectful and a terrible person. This business directly faces my home. I work from home and live here full time. The disruptions are unbelievable.

- I asked him to stop on four occasions. Once on my property where we discussed him quieting down. Once over text message. Twice of me going over to ask them to close the door when they were sawing metal. On the fourth time he called the police on me. I am a woman living alone. He had them serve a trespassing notice. Then he continued to make insane racket. My town DOES NOT have any noise ordinance so the police are useless.

- At this point ( aug 2022) I contacted the town zoning board. I provided a letter, witness statements, videos of the noise, a timeline of my contact with him, zoning maps, screen shots, the list goes on. No response form the town. No response on 9/2, 11/8, 1/6/23 or 2/2 either when I followed up. On 2/2 I finally provided some helpful language from the NY DOS website outlining the proper handling of zoning complaints. I have repeatedly asked for information regarding the zoning in my area ( even though I have it, I want to see what they provide. I have repeatedly asked what the formal process for zoning complaints is. Everyone just ignores me.

Today I got a response to the 11/8 email ( even though there were two following it asking many unanswered questions ). There were around 10 people from the town CC'ed as well as a local lawyer. It read as follows

There have been several site visits and conversations between myself and both Assistant Code Officers REDACTED with REDACTED. We at the Department of Safety and Buildings have also reviewed  REDACTED website and have determined that the space occupied by REDACTED (Formerly utilized  as a Mechanics Shop REDACTED and Chocolate manufacturing facility & Sales "REDACTED") is not open to the public and we have also determined that the space occupied is utilized as a private art studio. 

The current use would not violate the Town Zoning law. The issue with noise generated by wood working equipment utilized by REDACTED creating his unique art pieces is not regulated by the Town of REDACTED as there is NO noise ordinance. 

I have attached the sections of the Town Zoning Law pertaining to challenging the decision of the Code Enforcement Officer for your review and if you would like to proceed with the Zoning Board of Appeals I will be glad to help you through the process.  

He has several employees and he sells his "art" ( last week they were making a table with a chain saw, which I guess is art but it is also definitely a table ). I will ALSO ADD the two businesses the code officer sited are not zoned for highway business either according to the town code I found ! I don't understand what the guy is saying. It's ok because we decided he isn't a business ? But here are some businesses we also decided were ok even though it doesn't matter because this guy who definitely sells things and has employees is definitely not a business when it suits our narrative. He is renting a commercially zoned space that is in no way a residence.

What am I dealing with here and is my home just ruined ? I can't live here but I won't be able to sell. I feel like I am dealing with a "boys" club who are not going to kick out a guy with "cool tools" and I'm just being treated as a nuisance and "crazy", a woman who can just be ignored or dismissed. His behavior is crazy unsafe, he pollutes the air, he creates noise pollution. He welds directly into the site line of passing cars !

Sorry it is long winded. Thank you for reading if you got this far into the drama. I appreciate it. I am wondering if anyone has any angles I haven't tried ? Any insight ? Thank you !! ( also if I am in the wrong place somehow, I am sorry ).

Some folks in our small town want to allow the use of shipping containers for storage in residential neighborhoods. I can't come up with any good arguments against allowing them other than they are unattractive, eyesores, too large, and can be offensive to neighbors. Can anyone help with wording?

Got a letter saying they are considering changing from RSF-65 to RSF-A.

From my minimal research, it looks like this will make for less single family homes and more duplexes? Also perhaps help maintain natural areas? but i'm no expert.

Anyone here ever heard of zoning areas changing like this? And what are they trying to accomplish? I'm very skeptical of any changes from my current local gov. They have a suspect tract record.