Ever notice how houses are grouped together in one area, while shops and restaurants are somewhere else? That’s not random: it’s zoning. Zoning laws are local rules that divide cities and towns into different zones, controlling what can be built where. These rules determine whether you can open a bakery in your garage, build an apartment above a store, or convert your single-family home into a duplex. Zoning touches nearly every aspect of daily life, yet most people never think about it until they bump into its restrictions.
Zoning codes typically create distinct districts. Residential zones are for homes: single-family houses, townhomes, apartments. These zones often specify density: how many homes per acre, minimum lot sizes, building heights, and setbacks (how far structures must sit from property lines). Commercial zones allow businesses like shops, restaurants, offices, and hotels. Industrial zones permit manufacturing, warehouses, and distribution centers. Mixed-use zones combine categories: apartments above retail, offices near restaurants. The goal is separating incompatible uses; for example, no one wants a factory emitting noise and fumes next to a school.
Zoning also controls physical characteristics, like building height limits prevent skyscrapers in suburban neighborhoods. Or, some zones mandate minimum or maximum square footage for homes or restrict accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These rules accumulate into community character: wide lawns and detached homes in one zone, walkable storefronts and apartments in another.
At Lewis, we work within zoning frameworks to develop projects that enhance communities; think, master-planned neighborhoods integrating residential and retail, multifamily properties near transit and employment, and walkable spaces designed for connection. Zoning provides order and protects community character by separating incompatible uses, yet restrictive codes can limit housing options and affordability. We navigate these frameworks to create thoughtful developments, balancing regulatory requirements with market needs and community benefits. Understanding zoning means recognizing how a few lines on a map can determine whether your neighbor is a catankerous coffee shop or a quiet cul-de-sac.
Rosie Lewis is the Corporate Marketing Manager at The Lewis Group of Companies. A Claremont native who enjoys hiking, yoga, and developing her green thumb, Rosie also appreciates quality alone time.