ZONING ORDINANCE

The 1926 case of Village of Euclid, OH v. Ambler Realty Company established a municipalities RIGHT to designate land-use ZONES and permitted uses within those zones. Modern zoning classifies land-use and establishes a range of permissible development options for a piece of property. It establishes what CAN and CANNOT occur on a given property. These land uses are identified on a ZONING MAP, and the permitted uses are defined in the zoning ordinance. The exact name of the USE CLASSIFICATION generally include, Single Family, Multi-family, PUD, OFFICE, Commercial, Recreational, resort, and historic preservation.

ZONING MAPS are usually drawn at a scale of 1" = 200' or 1" = 400' and are available at a municipality's Planning Department. During the initial stages of research, Zoning Maps are helpful in pinpointing appropriate sized parcels for an intended land use as well as determining which parcels could be considered for a change of zoning classification to allow a different and MORE INTENSE USE. Within each Land-Use category, a range of factors with a graduated scale of use intensity is stipulated with regard to allowable conditions and specifications. Each category includes a set of regulations defining minimum standards for layout, set-back from public Right-of-Way, Allowable Density, Parking Space requirements, Maximum Building square footage, and others. The compatibility of any proposed changes to the community must follow the guidelines of the Zoning Ordinance and meet all relevant criteria.

Most of the Traditional Neighborhoods AND Memorable Towns that we LOVE to VISIT (Charleston, SC & Savannah, GA) COULD NOT be built today under existing zoning regulations.