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Zoning

Plain-language zoning references for architects and building designers — districts, floor area ratio, setbacks, height and lot coverage — with the local ordinance always authoritative.

Zoning

Zoning governs what can be built on a site before a single line is drawn: the use, the bulk, and the position of a building relative to its lot lines. Architects and building designers hit these questions mid-project — during feasibility, massing, and entitlements — and a small change in floor area ratio or a setback can reshape a scheme.

The pages below explain the concepts in plain language and give typical, illustrative ranges. Every number varies by municipality and by district: the governing zoning ordinance and zoning map for your specific parcel are always authoritative. Use these references to build intuition and frame client conversations, then confirm the controlling standards with the local planning department before you commit.

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