Zoning Regulations
Examples and Resources
Frankenmuth, Michigan Neighborhood Commercial Overlay Zone
This proposed ordinances was developed to help protect the “unique character” of this city and township known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria.” It contains sections on limiting size (with important language to prevent a developer from trying to build two smaller buildings below the size cap),…
New York State Zoning Moratorium
Memo from the Secretary of State explaining how the law regarding zoning moratoria work in New York state. Reviews the legal authority in New York state for enacting moratoria, and concludes that “moratoria have been upheld in New York where they are of reasonable and limited duration, where legitimate…
Development Standards for St. Petersburg, Florida
Land Use Objective 3, the Plan sets up a ratio of commercial acres needed based on population: “Additional commercial acreage is not required to serve the future needs of St. Petersburg. An oversupply exists based on the standard of 1 acre of commercial land for every 150 persons in the community.”…
Controlling the Development of Big Box Commercial Structures, Peachtree City, GA (2000)
This ordinance says that big box stores “increase the demands on local infrastructure…increases the negative impact on the surrounding areas…increases the rate of crime in these areas…and poses an even greater threat to the economic vitality of area…if such retail stores remain vacant.”…
Big Box Ordinance, Stoughton, Wisconsin (2003)
Requires all retail stores over 20,000 s.f. to get a conditional use permit. Places a 110,000 s.f. cap on any individual building. Requires large retail to be “properly located…and compatible with the surrounding area and the overall community character of the city. Applicant must provide a “compatibility…
Fort Collins Design Guidelines (2000)
These design guidelines were created to “ensure that large retail building development is compatible with its surrounding area and contributes to the unique community character of Fort Collins.” These development standards cover both large retail establishments, and smaller, convenience shopping…
Design Guidelines, Rockville, Maryland Town Center (2000)
Written to conform to the city’s master plan, it bans retail stores in excess of 65,000 sq ft., stating that “large retail establishments draw traffic from a wide region, which imposes an unacceptable burden on the local road network…and are contrary to the goal of providing a supply of convenience…
This city’s ordinance applies to any building “or group of buildings on one site” over 25,000 s.f. Addresses pedestrian entrances, architecturally distinct changes to the façade, 20% of wall areas containing widows or doorways, not more than 20 ft. setback for buildings from the sidewalk, breaking…
Frankenmuth, Michigan Demolition Bond (2005)
This proposed ordinance in Frankenmuth, Michigan says that, “If no store within a Large Scale Retail Development in the Neighborhood Commercial Overlay Zone is open for business to the public for more than ninety (90) consecutive days, and such cessation of operations is not due to fire, tornado,…
Adaptive Reuse/Abandonment Ordinance (2001)
Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania. Requires that retail stores with more than 10,000 s.f. meet certain design standards, and, as part of the land development agreement, provide for “the removal or adaptive reuse of the structure by the applicant should the facility not be used for a period of 12…
