Zoning places properties into categories such as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and agricultural.
Zoning By-law
The Township of McGarry Zoning By-law is a legal document, which is used to control the use and development of properties and buildings.
Each of the zoning categories has a list of permitted uses and regulations that include things such as:
- Lot size
- Lot frontage
- Building size
- Building yard setbacks
- Building height
- Parking
Zoning laws help to ensure that a community is laid out in the most convenient and efficient manner and that areas reserved for related and complimentary uses are located in close proximity. For example, ideally, you would want to locate schools in close proximity to the residential neighborhoods they serve.
Zoning can prevent the mixing of incompatible land uses (such as erotic dance clubs and schools). Zoning can allow potential nuisance uses to be located away from residential neighborhoods or other sensitive areas. Zoning can provide for better lot arrangement. Zoning can protect recreational areas and open space.
There's a difference between land planning, land use, and zoning. Many people believe they are one and the same; however land planning and land use is the way that people adapt the land to suit their needs whereas zoning is how the government regulates the land.
Zoning is how the local government regulates and develops land within its control. It is broken down into multiple categories to help balance an area to ensure proper land use and provide value to citizens that own property. As well, zoning helps protect the local environment and keep property values stable.
Land use regulations in a zoning ordinance encourage growth in some places and limit growth in other parts of a community. Zoning is the most common technique local governments use to influence the location and density of development.
Additional Resources