Zoning Codes, Explained

Looking for a way to describe zoning codes, and their role in city planning, to a newcomer to the field? Maybe start here.

1 minute read

August 7, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York City Zoning Map

New York City Planning Commission / New York City Zoning Map

Benjamin Schneider writes the latest installation of CityLab University, which provides explainers of fundamental concepts of cities and urban policy. This time, the subject is zoning codes, which are facing a moment of historical change in the way many cities and states approach this hugely influential form of regulation.

The post runs through the relatively brief history of zoning codes, the criticisms of the consequences of the country's century with Euclidean zoning as the dominant form of land use regulation, and the recent trends that rethink land use regulation. The article also includes a glossary of related terms.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019 in CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

3 hours ago - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

2 hours ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

4 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

5 hours ago - Happy Cities