Communities use zoning to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents. Zoning preserves the character of our communities by allowing certain types of development in specific areas – keeping factories out of residential districts and neighborhoods out of retail districts. Of course, at some point, those uses may be adjacent to one another. There are many types of zoning districts. Commercial zones allow things such as office buildings and retail stores. Factories and warehouses are found in industrial zones. Residential zones consist of houses, condominiums and apartment buildings. Planned unit development districts allow a combination of uses.
Zoning also ensures that development takes place in those areas that can support it; low density residential development in areas without sewer and water and a higher density residential in areas that have sewer and water. Major commercial and development is limited to areas with sanitary sewer and water. Development is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan -–its vision of the future.
The following is a list of the most common activities and projects that do require a Zoning Permit with the City, prior to start of work;