Title: How Can Zoning Protect Land Values? | Home Guides | SF Gate
Headings: How Can Zoning Protect Land Values?
How Can Zoning Protect Land Values?
Zoning Regulations
Supply and Demand
Get the Best Mortgage Rate for You
Up-Zoning
Too Much of a Good Thing

Content: Zoning Regulations
Zoning is local land-use regulation that restricts development by area. Categories such as low-density housing, high density housing, low and high density mixed use, retail, commercial and industrial are defined and assigned to specific areas and neighborhoods. Within those areas or zoning districts, a property owner can build what the zone allows. For instance, in a low density zoning district an owner could build a one- or two-unit home. In an industrially-zoned site, an owner could build a manufacturing plant. Each zone also is often designated with maximum height and building footprtint regulations. Supply and Demand
In a developed area with defined boundaries and a stable or growing population, zoning will protect and promote property values because growth will be limited to what the zoning allows. The greater the area is already developed relative to what the zoning allows, the less new growth will be permitted. Because supply is stable, property values will be protected if demand is stable. If demand increases, prices will rise.