Legal Definitions - Euclidean zoning

Euclidean zoning is a type of zoning that divides a region, usually a municipality, into separate districts with different regulations for land use and building size. It is named after the Supreme Court case that approved it, Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926).

For example, a city might have a residential zone where only houses are allowed, a commercial zone where only businesses are allowed, and an industrial zone where only factories are allowed. This type of zoning is also known as use zoning.

Other types of zoning include:

• Aesthetic zoning, which is designed to preserve the aesthetic features or values of an area.
• Cluster zoning, which allows for planned-unit development by modifying lot size and frontage requirements under the condition that other land in the development be set aside for public needs.
• Incentive zoning, which offers developers a relaxation in zoning restrictions in exchange for providing certain public benefits, such as building low-income housing units.

These different types of zoning help to regulate and control the use of land in a municipality, ensuring that it is used in a way that benefits the community as a whole.