zoning

1 of 2

noun

zon·​ing ˈzō-niŋ 

: the act or process of partitioning a city, town, or borough into zones reserved for different purposes (such as residence or business)

also : the set of ordinances by which such zones are established and regulated

voted to change the town's zoning

zoning laws

zoning

2 of 2

present participle of zone entry 2

Examples of zoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The 2023 audit found that existing zoning rules were creating barriers to new downtown housing and recommended changes including higher residential densities, lower parking requirements and streamlined approvals for housing. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The prior zoning allowed for only 330 apartments but up to 750,000 square feet of commercial space, including office towers. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The Phase 2 proposals are still recommendations and have not been adopted as changes to the city's zoning code. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

And thanks to another recent state law — the Live Local Act — developers would be able to sidestep local zoning regulations, allowing for a project that would smash height restrictions to tower above all surrounding buildings. — Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zoning

• boning
• cloning
• coning
• droning
• groaning
• honing
• loaning
• moaning
• owning
• phoning
• stoning
• toning

Legal Definition

zoning

noun

zon·​ing

: municipal or county regulation of land use effected through the creation and enforcement of zones under local law