Title: Land-Use Controls: Comprehensive Plans, Zoning, and Property Restrictions
Headings: Land-Use Controls: Comprehensive Plans, Zoning, and Property Restrictions
Land-Use Controls: Comprehensive Plans, Zoning, and Property Restrictions
Legality for Land-Use Controls
Comprehensive Plan
Zoning
Subdivisions
Building Codes and Certificates of Occupancy
Changing Zoning: Zoning Boards, Variances, and Conditional Use Permits
Private Land-Use Controls

Content: Zoning ordinances must also not violate the state constitution or other applicable provisions in state law. Generally, zoning ordinances: must be exercised in a reasonable manner
be clear and specific
be nondiscriminatory
apply to all property in a similar manner
promote public health, safety, or the general welfare under the state's police power
Comprehensive Plan
Before the details for land-use controls can be mapped out, there must be a comprehensive plan (aka master plan) that will satisfy objectives and prevent conflicts in future development, providing a blueprint for sustainable growth, while balancing social, economic, environmental, and aesthetic desires. Land-use controls specify quantity and location of parcels for residents, business, agriculture, industry, utilities, community facilities, parks and recreations, traffic and transit facilities, as well as marking off floodplains and potential hazards. A major consideration is for housing, both present and future needs, while preventing or rehabilitating declining neighborhoods. A transportation infrastructure must also be provided: highways, public transit, parking, and possibly pedestrian and bicycle paths. To protect health and the environment, there must be a comprehensive plan for utilities, including water sources, sewage, storm drainage, flood management, waste treatment and disposal. A comprehensive plan will also consider means of conserving resources, such as energy. For instance, the efficiency of transportation will depend on decisions regarding the location of traffic signals, timing of the signals, two-way or one-way traffic and which directions for the one-way traffic.