zoning

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The system of local laws that divide an area into sections and say what each section may be used for.

   Grammar: Used as a mass noun: talk about zoning in general, not 'a zoning'.

   Patterns

   • zoning laws
   • zoning regulations
   • zoning board

   The city changed its zoning to allow small shops on this street.

   Because of strict zoning, you cannot build a factory next to these houses.

   The zoning board meets on Tuesday to discuss the new apartment block.

2. 2noununcountable

   The act of officially dividing land into areas for particular uses.

   Grammar: Often appears in the phrase 'the zoning of something'.

   Patterns

   • the zoning of land
   • the zoning of an area

   The zoning of the old port took two years to complete.

   Local people opposed the zoning of the park for commercial use.

Common combinations

zoning laws

Zoning laws prevent factories from being built near schools.

zoning regulations

The new zoning regulations limit buildings to three floors.

zoning board

The zoning board rejected the plan for a nightclub.

residential zoning

This area has residential zoning, so no offices are allowed.

commercial zoning

Commercial zoning lets the owner open a restaurant here.

change the zoning

They want to change the zoning to build a hotel.

Synonyms and how they differ

land-use planning

A broader term for deciding how land is used; zoning is the legal tool that puts such planning into effect.

planning permission

British: official approval to build something; zoning is the rule that says what may be built where.

Word family

zone noun

An area with a particular purpose or character.

zone verb

To officially divide land into areas for particular uses.

Commonly confused: zoning or region?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “zoning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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