AICP - Functional Areas of Practice:
Zoning
What are the Purposes of Zoning? - answer "Protect and maintain property values;
Promote public health and safety;
Protect the environment;
Promote the aesthetic of a community;
Manage traffic;
Manage density;
Encourage a variety of housing;
Attract businesses and industries."
What does Zoning Regulate? - answer "Land use
Lot Size
Density
Building placement
Building height
Building bulk
Setbacks
Provision of adequate light and air
Parking
Landscaping
Signage"
three different types of zoning - answer Euclidean, cumulative, and modified
cumulative
Euclidean zoning - answer Euclidean zoning is named after the City of Euclid, Ohio.
It places the most protective restrictions on residential land uses, less on commercial
uses, and virtually none on industrial uses. This concept places the most restrictive
zoning category, single family residential, at the top of the pyramid.
Cumulative Zoning - answer "Cumulative zoning is less protective of various land
uses than Euclidean zoning. Single-family residential districts are the most exclusive.
However, in cumulative zoning, each successive zoning district allows all the uses from
the previous zones:
Single-Family District allows single-family homes
, Multi-Family District allows apartments and all uses allowed in the Single-Family District
Commercial District allows retail and commercial uses and all uses allowed in the Multi-
family District
Industrial District allows industrial uses and all uses allowed in the Commercial District
In a city with cumulative zoning, a person could build a single family house in any
zoning district. However, a factory could only locate in an industrial district."
Modified Cumulative Zoning - answer A modified version of cumulative zoning has
been developed to allow cities to provide a greater degree of protection than they could
with cumulative zoning. In this type of zoning, districts are typically cumulative by type of
land use. For example, a multi-family district would allow both single-family homes and
multi-family housing. However, the industrial district would not allow residential uses.
The figure below provides an example of how modified cumulative zoning works.
non conforming use - answer a property use that existed prior to the adoption of
district regulations and is allowed to continue under the "grandfather clause."
accessory use - answer incidental to the main use of a property. It is typically located
on the same lot as the main use and smaller in size than the main use. Some examples
of accessory uses include outside sales, outside storage, a telecommunications tower,
home occupations, and a garage apartment.
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) - answer "unique zoning tool that can offer an
alternative to strict zoning regulations. PUDs are typically used for large developments
that include a mix of uses. A PUD applies a different set of controls to a tract of land
than standard land use zoning. The entire development site plan is reviewed by the
governing body.
An advantage of PUDs is that they are planned in their entirety, up front, with careful
attention to a site plan. PUDs can also allow for more innovative development design. In
some cases, PUDs allow flexibility that a normal subdivision and/or zoning regulations
cannot. They can allow for an increase in density or reduction in street width as well as
a mix of land uses on one site.
In return for this flexibility in site design, the developer often offers increased community
amenities and open space. Examples of community amenities include bike trails,
recreation centers, landscaped medians, and natural open space."
information that should be collected when reviewing a proposed PUD - answer
"Location of the property and all abutting properties and streets;
Location and size of streets within the development;
Location and proposed use of buildings within the development;
Location and capacity of the nearest infrastructure and public facilities;
Proposed landscaping and pedestrian ways;
Location of open space;
Sign sizes and locations."
Zoning
What are the Purposes of Zoning? - answer "Protect and maintain property values;
Promote public health and safety;
Protect the environment;
Promote the aesthetic of a community;
Manage traffic;
Manage density;
Encourage a variety of housing;
Attract businesses and industries."
What does Zoning Regulate? - answer "Land use
Lot Size
Density
Building placement
Building height
Building bulk
Setbacks
Provision of adequate light and air
Parking
Landscaping
Signage"
three different types of zoning - answer Euclidean, cumulative, and modified
cumulative
Euclidean zoning - answer Euclidean zoning is named after the City of Euclid, Ohio.
It places the most protective restrictions on residential land uses, less on commercial
uses, and virtually none on industrial uses. This concept places the most restrictive
zoning category, single family residential, at the top of the pyramid.
Cumulative Zoning - answer "Cumulative zoning is less protective of various land
uses than Euclidean zoning. Single-family residential districts are the most exclusive.
However, in cumulative zoning, each successive zoning district allows all the uses from
the previous zones:
Single-Family District allows single-family homes
, Multi-Family District allows apartments and all uses allowed in the Single-Family District
Commercial District allows retail and commercial uses and all uses allowed in the Multi-
family District
Industrial District allows industrial uses and all uses allowed in the Commercial District
In a city with cumulative zoning, a person could build a single family house in any
zoning district. However, a factory could only locate in an industrial district."
Modified Cumulative Zoning - answer A modified version of cumulative zoning has
been developed to allow cities to provide a greater degree of protection than they could
with cumulative zoning. In this type of zoning, districts are typically cumulative by type of
land use. For example, a multi-family district would allow both single-family homes and
multi-family housing. However, the industrial district would not allow residential uses.
The figure below provides an example of how modified cumulative zoning works.
non conforming use - answer a property use that existed prior to the adoption of
district regulations and is allowed to continue under the "grandfather clause."
accessory use - answer incidental to the main use of a property. It is typically located
on the same lot as the main use and smaller in size than the main use. Some examples
of accessory uses include outside sales, outside storage, a telecommunications tower,
home occupations, and a garage apartment.
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) - answer "unique zoning tool that can offer an
alternative to strict zoning regulations. PUDs are typically used for large developments
that include a mix of uses. A PUD applies a different set of controls to a tract of land
than standard land use zoning. The entire development site plan is reviewed by the
governing body.
An advantage of PUDs is that they are planned in their entirety, up front, with careful
attention to a site plan. PUDs can also allow for more innovative development design. In
some cases, PUDs allow flexibility that a normal subdivision and/or zoning regulations
cannot. They can allow for an increase in density or reduction in street width as well as
a mix of land uses on one site.
In return for this flexibility in site design, the developer often offers increased community
amenities and open space. Examples of community amenities include bike trails,
recreation centers, landscaped medians, and natural open space."
information that should be collected when reviewing a proposed PUD - answer
"Location of the property and all abutting properties and streets;
Location and size of streets within the development;
Location and proposed use of buildings within the development;
Location and capacity of the nearest infrastructure and public facilities;
Proposed landscaping and pedestrian ways;
Location of open space;
Sign sizes and locations."
