What does "zoning" mean?

1. (land use regulation) the official rules that control how land and buildings in a specific area can be used. 2. (dividing into zones) the act of dividing an area into different parts or zones, such as for travel prices or delivery.

How do you use "zoning"?

Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun like 'laws', 'rules', or 'ordinances'. Can be used as a gerund or a verbal noun.

zoning

US //ˈzoʊnɪŋ// UK //zˈəʊnɪŋ// zon·ing

1 land use regulation (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Law

the official rules that control how land and buildings in a specific area can be used.

the legal framework used by local governments to regulate the use of land and the types of structures permitted in specific districts.

Example

The city changed the zoning of the old factory area so that new apartments could be built there.

Example

The developer's proposal was rejected because it violated local zoning ordinances regarding the maximum height of residential structures in the historic district.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun like 'laws', 'rules', or 'ordinances'.

Teacher's tip

This is a key term in urban planning and real estate; it is more common in American English contexts than 'planning permission' in British English.
- urban planning
- land use regulation
2 dividing into zones (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of dividing an area into different parts or zones, such as for travel prices or delivery.

the systematic division of an area into functional zones for administrative, logistical, or pricing purposes.

Example

The transport company introduced new zoning to make ticket prices fairer for people living in the suburbs.

Example

The logistics firm revised its delivery zoning to account for the increased fuel costs associated with rural distribution routes.

Usage

Can be used as a gerund or a verbal noun.
- partitioning
- segmentation