Zoning is a broad term that refers to the collection of local, county, and state laws that dictate how land may be developed or used in specific location. These locations or “zones” are explicitly set aside for certain purposes such as residential construction, commercial development, or industrial use. Zoning is not always absolute and certain zoning restrictions can be ignored if the community or government decides that it would be mutually beneficial to do so.

Land use and zoning laws dictate how physical land can be developed and what can be built on a lot respectively. Both types of laws are created to control how a city develops and to enforce urban planning designs. Usual examples of zoning and land use laws may prohibit heavy industrial buildings from being built in a suburb or prevent oil drilling in a national park. 

Most cities have their zoning maps available online. If an area does not have their zoning online, a visit to the city or county clerk’s office can usually resolve any confusion. These maps will show the general allotment for different areas though there may be additional rules in place for utilizing land in a specific way.