zoning

American  

[zoh-ning] / ˈzoʊ nɪŋ /

adjective

1. (especially in city planning) of or relating to the division of an area into zones, as to restrict the number and types of buildings and their uses.

   zoning laws.

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zoning Cultural  

1. The establishment by local governments of districts that are restricted to various types of manufacturing, commercial, or residential use.

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Etymology

Origin of zoning

First recorded in 1810–20; zone + -ing ²

Explanation

Zoning is the process of splitting areas of land up into sections and clarifying what each of those sections can be used for. Your city's zoning might not allow you to build an enormous lighthouse in your front yard. Laws in a town or city that restrict what you can use land for are collectively known as zoning. Your neighborhood's zoning might allow multifamily homes and small businesses, while your cousin's area of town may have zoning that restricts it to single-family houses. In cities, zoning laws dictate where schools, medical clinics, homeless shelters, restaurants, parking lots, and liquor stores can be built. It may seem boring, but zoning affects daily life for most people.

Example Sentences

By March 30, three had failed to clear zoning review, 25 had not filed complete building plans and 84 were waiting to have plans approved.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

They highlight that restrictive zoning is largely to blame for underproduction relative to job growth and concur that rent control is counterproductive as it discourages the addition of supply, even with strong demand.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

These purchase decisions are being made by fiat, as federally owned property is often exempt from local permitting and zoning rules.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2026

Hundreds of pig parents have lobbied their local governments to recognize mini pigs as pets to circumvent livestock zoning bans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Any leftover time is to be devoted to zoning.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich