Legal Definitions - stopgap zoning

Definition: Stopgap zoning is a temporary emergency zoning that is put in place while revisions to existing ordinances or the development of a final zoning plan is being worked on. It is also known as interim zoning.

Example: A city is experiencing a sudden influx of new businesses and residents, and the existing zoning laws are not sufficient to handle the growth. To prevent chaos and ensure that the city's development is orderly, the city council may implement stopgap zoning to regulate the use of land until a more permanent solution can be found.

This example illustrates how stopgap zoning is used as a temporary measure to address an immediate need while a more comprehensive zoning plan is being developed.