zoning

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

Examples of zoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The grant funds, when received, will allow Maryland to conduct a statewide analysis of barriers to housing, support local zoning reforms and revamp permitting processes — accomplishing the very goals that Harris agrees are necessary. — Jake Day, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2026

That reflects a long-running slowdown in home construction driven by rising expenses from materials and labor as well as changes in local zoning and permitting rules and lingering scars from the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

In a tight vote, the zoning board this week approved 180 new apartments for a tract along the road that’s a little more than a mile from the landmark. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

After the zoning regulations were adopted last year, a data center developer submitted a site plan and a building permit application for a 12,000-square-foot data center at 6401 Wuliger Way. — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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