Zoning 101
UDO Rewrite Home Zoning 101 About Materials
What is zoning?
Zoning is the collection of laws that dictate how property can and cannot be used. Zoning creates districts to categorize different uses and regulates how those uses are developed on their lot.
Zoning regulates;
The subdivision of lots to prevent overcrowding and ensure public services can serve the lots.
The design of proposed development. Some of the design aspects considered are roadway access, parking, landscaping, open space/green space, building setbacks, building height, signage, and relation to neighboring property.
Maintenance of required trees, parking lots, stormwater ponds to ensure the designed development is sustainable.
Ongoing environmental impacts by issuing violations for trash, abandoned vehicles, uncontrolled growth, and unapproved disturbed lands.
How does zoning affect you?
Zoning can seem overbearing for your property by dictating what you can do on your lot. However, just as it regulates your lot, it regulates your neighbor’s lot as well. This allows you to have an expectation of the neighboring environment. It also ensures a residential subdivision does not incorporate a noncompatible use such as a convenience store. That convenience store should be close to a residential area to serve those residents but not twenty feet from a dwelling.
Common Zoning Categories
Generally, Strasburg has four use categories for all development within town.
Residential – The residential zoning districts include some agricultural uses, single-family dwellings, duplex dwellings, townhouses, and apartments. It may also include uses that support the residential uses with minimal impacts such as assisted living centers, day care, bed-and-breakfast, and religious institutions.
Commercial – These zoning districts include residential support services including restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, professional offices, retail sales, and hotels.
Industrial – These uses create the heaviest of environmental impacts. Those impacts can be visual, noise, traffic, dust, and chemicals. The allowable uses may be warehouses, heavy equipment repair, manufacturing centers, and utility services.
Public – These uses are provided to serve the citizens, business owners, and visitors. Examples of current public uses are Town Hall, Town Park, Town Square, the Visitors Center, the Water Plant, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Public Works Facility.
