Which document outlines the basic regulations for zoning in a municipality?

The zoning ordinance is the document that specifically outlines the basic regulations for zoning in a municipality. This legal framework establishes how land within the municipality can be used, categorized into various zones such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural. Zoning ordinances dictate permitted land uses, density, building height restrictions, and other land development criteria, effectively guiding urban planning and development.

This document is essential for managing growth and ensuring that land uses are compatible with each other, thereby protecting property values and the character of neighborhoods. It provides the rules and guidelines governing how property owners can develop their land, including what activities can occur in particular zones and the standards that must be met when planning new developments or making changes to existing properties.

While the comprehensive plan helps to outline the long-term vision and goals for development in the community, and the subdivision ordinance governs the subdividing of land into smaller parcels, it is the zoning ordinance that directly regulates specific land uses on a parcel-by-parcel basis. The building code, on the other hand, pertains to the structural safety and construction standards for buildings rather than land use itself.