By Matt Tucker
City of Madison

We often hear from people in the community, “What is zoning and what do you folks do?” The answer is not simple, but this column intends to provide a broad explanation to that question.

What is zoning?
Zoning is one tool that governments use to control the type of land uses permissible or prohibited on private property, along with how the property is developed. Each community has its own zoning regulations, which reflect the desires of the community.

Zoning laws typically specify the areas in which residential, commercial, employment, industrial or recreational uses and activities may take place. For example, an SR-C1 Residential District might allow only single-family detached homes as opposed to duplexes or multi-family apartment complexes. On the other hand, The Industrial Limited Employment District might permit only certain commercial or employment uses, but prohibit or limit residential uses which would be incompatible.

What else do zoning laws regulate?
Besides restricting the uses that can be established on lots and the size/scale of buildings on property, zoning laws also may regulate the specific development requirements for lots and for certain land uses, the density of development, and whether you can have chickens, bees or home businesses. Zoning can also establish design requirements for buildings and uses, heights of fences and hedges, and widths and sizes of driveways.

Who controls zoning?
Zoning is a municipal regulation. Though zoning laws are somewhat universal for municipalities, the districts, allowed use, and parameters for development are not the same for all municipalities. For instance, it is not uncommon to find that zoning rules that apply to Sherman Avenue are different from zoning that applies to Williamson Street, or that the City of Madison allows a mix of residential uses with some commercial uses but a neighboring community might outlaw such a mix. The city council and plan commission of the local municipality adopt the local zoning laws.

If you have questions about zoning, contact us at 266-4551 or visit our website at cityofmadison.com/dpced/bi/zoning/14.