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 properties are currently zoned for mobile home use, though any change would require a formal zoning amendment—a process that could take time and face community scrutiny. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026

And the shortage is the product of our own municipal decisions (zoning, permitting, land-use rules). —Russell Hancock, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026

Would there be community support to change zoning to encourage more residential and mixed-use development in the 19 acres up against the 57 Freeway, bordered by Orangethorpe, Placentia and Crowther avenues? —Heather McRea, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026

At Tuesday’s meeting, Stillwell was unable to secure sufficient support for a moratorium on data centers in Sugar Grove, but the board did find some consensus on establishing zoning changes while the village looks at modifying its existing regulations. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 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