What is the primary purpose of a zoning ordinance?

The primary purpose of a zoning ordinance is to regulate land use and building placement. Zoning ordinances are legal regulations that govern how land in specific geographic zones can be used and developed. They provide a framework for managing land use in a harmonious way, ensuring that different activities and building types are kept in appropriate areas to promote health, safety, and welfare in a community.

By determining how properties can be developed—such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural uses—zoning helps to prevent conflicts between incompatible land uses, such as placing a heavy industrial facility next to a residential neighborhood. These ordinances outline building heights, lot sizes, density, and setbacks to ensure orderly growth and development.

In contrast, while the establishment of public parks and mandates for architectural styles can be components of urban planning and community development, they are not the primary focus of zoning ordinances. Similarly, increasing property taxes, while potentially influenced by zoning decisions, is not a direct purpose of these regulations.