Zoning is an instrument of the local planning authority to guide and control permissible developments or land use for each parcel of land (or parts thereof).
Zoned areas can include:
- residential - intended primarily to preserve and protect housing and related developments and activities
- commercial - areas set aside mainly for retail trade, services, and business activity
- industrial - reserved for manufacturing, assembly, processing, and related activities.
The basic purpose of these zones is to prevent land use conflicts by allowing only compatible uses to locate in the same area.