Home Blog Commercial Zoning

Jump to Section

ContractsCounsel has assisted 326 clients with real estate contracts and maintains a network of 151 real estate lawyers available daily. These lawyers collectively have 24 reviews to help you choose the best lawyer for your needs. Customers rate lawyers for real estate contract matters 4.72.

Commercial zoning is the division of land within a jurisdiction into different zones or districts designated for commercial use at a particular location. It is the mechanism through which local governments lawfully control the sorts of businesses and activities permitted in particular places. Below, we will look into more about commercial zoning.

Types of Commercial Zoning

Different types of commercial zoning classify kinds of business and activities that can be established in any given area. The names and exact classifications for commercial zones are not necessarily uniform across jurisdictions, but some common ones include:

  • Retail Commercial: Businesses primarily engaged in retail sales to the general public are intended for this category. This encompasses stores, large retail shops, malls, and other structures where people conduct their purchases.
  • Office Commercial: Office zoning applies to firms offering professional or administrative services. Examples are office buildings, headquarters offices, professional services companies as well as administrative facilities.
  • Industrial Commercial: This kind of zoning specifically enables industrial uses such as manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution centers. It may have noise and pollution restrictions, among other things.
  • Mixed-Use Commercial: Mixed-use development allows for both commercial and residential as well as sometimes recreational or entertainment uses within an establishment individually. It creates dynamic urban life.
  • Restaurant/Hospitality: It caters to restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, motels, and other hospitality-related enterprises. Such provisions may address parking capacity requirements, outdoor dining areas, and sound levels disturbing other premises.
  • Central Business District (CBD): CBDs are typically located downtown and have a wide range of commercial functions, including offices, shops, entertainment, high-density residential development, etc.
  • Special Purpose Commercial: In some jurisdictions, special-purpose commercial categories have been established for certain unique uses. Specific examples include airports, hospitals, educational institutions, and research facilities. These have specific guidelines that cater to their distinct needs.

Benefits of Commercial Zoning

There are several advantages associated with communities, businesses, and individuals embracing commercial zoning systems. Some key benefits of commercial zoning are:

  • Orderly Urban Development: Commercial zoning helps guarantee planned and organized growth within a community. By allocating specific zones for commercial purposes, it avoids messy expansion and enhances coherent urban design.
  • Compatibility and Protection of Residential Areas: This is done to avoid having commercial activities that may be incompatible with residential neighborhoods. It draws clear lines that keep firms at bay from conflicts with residents, thus preserving the original living styles in these areas.
  • Economic Development: Economic growth is facilitated by having areas zoned for businesses. Places where economic activities are concentrated are chosen because they create many chances for investors who need to set up their businesses there, hence promoting job creation. Local authorities usually find it easier to run services for such areas as well as provide the required facilities for people living in communities close to them.
  • Enhanced Property Values: Properly designed and implemented commercial zoning can increase property values. When suitable commercial districts are defined, properties developed as residences gain more value than when they do not exist. The purpose of this zoning was to ensure that surrounding regions conform to neighboring lots.
  • Infrastructure Planning and Management: Through this kind of zoning, towns can effectively plan and manage infrastructure better. It allows for the provision of transport systems, utilities, car parks, and other necessities useful in supporting business operations of individuals within such settings, hence preventing overcrowding, ensuring prompt service delivery, etc., at large, making commerce run smoothly.
Meet some lawyers on our platform

Daniel R.

188 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Lori B.

13 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Tabetha H.

53 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Darryl S.

151 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Environmental Considerations in Commercial Zoning

Commercial zoning regulations usually contain environmental considerations and safety measures. Such norms, for instance, might deal with pollution prevention, noise control, traffic management, and protection of natural resources. This is how commercial zoning facilitates safer and healthier communities.

  • Predictability and Stability: Businesses and property owners benefit from predictability and stability because of commercial zoning. For example, they can make informed decisions pertaining to their business operations, investments, or property acquisitions since they are aware of what each kind of business activity and regulation the various commercial zones permit. In this regard, stability encourages long-term planning, thereby fostering confidence in the business community.
  • Restrictions on Commercial Zoning: Local governments employ commercial zoning restrictions to regulate the development and use of commercial properties within defined areas or zones. These controls ensure that commercial activities complement their surroundings by safeguarding public health/safety, quality of life, and orderly urban expansion.
  • Land Use Restrictions: The nature of businesses allowed in any given type of zone is often provided for under land use regulations. Some uses may be prohibited, whereas others require special permits or conditional use approvals. An example would be the limitation on heavy industrial activities within areas zoned for light commercial or retail use.
  • Building Size/Height Restrictions: Most Commercial buildings’ size heights and massing are limited through zoning ordinances to keep them compatible with their surroundings as well as avoid overcrowding.
  • Setbacks and Lot Coverage: Setback rules establish how much space must be left between a building’s walls/foundation lines or structure edges like fences, while lot coverage governs the maximum percentage of a lot occupied by buildings/impervious surfaces, e.g., parking lots, etc.
  • Parking Requirements: Commonly, there must be minimum parking space requirements specified in local zoning codes for commercially developed lands, taking into account factors like type/scale of development/project, etc.; they provide enough parking at the same time, limiting traffic congestion and neighborhood burdens.
  • Signage Regulations: Commercial signs’ size, placement, and design are commonly controlled by zoning ordinances as part of visual aesthetics, elimination of cluttering as well as ensuring motorists' and pedestrians' safety.
  • Environmental Considerations: Some other restrictions under commercial zoning concern environmental issues like noise pollution, air quality, hazardous chemicals, etc. For instance, some industries may have to comply with certain pollution control measures or be situated away from sensitive residential areas.
  • Historic Preservation: Commercial zoning may limit or prohibit the development of historical or architectural landmarks in areas of such importance to preserve or protect buildings and facades. In such cases, design guidelines or special permits may be required to effect changes/demolitions within these historic properties/zones.

Key Terms for Commercial Zoning

  • Zoning District: These are parts of a community that have been designated exclusively for specific commercial purposes under the local authority’s zoning plan laws
  • Conditional Use Permit: This is a unique permit that the City Council gives to developers when they want to put up an enterprise that is not acceptable under normal requirements but one that is deemed necessary.
  • Building Height Limitations: The maximum height that can be built within commercial areas without interfering with the overall appearance given by existing buildings, limiting upward development.
  • Buffer Zone: Such a zone, often devoid of any development, serves as a transition between different land uses, thereby creating some space separation that minimizes conflicts emanating from juxtaposing incompatible activities.
  • Zoning Variances: This is a special permission to break the rules given by local zoning authorities that allow property owners to violate certain specific zone requirements due to hardships or unique circumstances.

Final Thoughts on Commercial Zoning

Commercial zoning is an essential part of urban planning and land use management, which benefits communities, businesses as well as individuals. Allocating certain areas for commerce ensures proper development while, at the same time, shielding residential environments from commercialization effects. Thus, commercial zoning is expected to be a very predictable haven for business enterprises; it helps in raising property values and facilitates infrastructure provision and service delivery necessities. When carefully pursued, commercial zoning can help a community find a balance between economic success, good living conditions, and environmental sustainability.

If you want free pricing proposals from vetted lawyers that are 60% less than typical law firms, Click here to get started. By comparing multiple proposals for free, you can save the time and stress of finding a quality lawyer for your business needs.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Need help with a Real Estate Contract?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 12,921 reviews

Meet some of our Lawyers

Keidi C. on ContractsCounsel
View Keidi
5.0 (13)
Member Since:
August 25, 2021

Keidi C.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Boston, MA
26 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MA, NY
New England Law | Boston

Keidi S. Carrington brings a wealth of legal knowledge and business experience in the financial services area with a particular focus on investment management. She is a former securities examiner at the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Associate Counsel at State Street Bank & Trust and has consulted for various investment houses and private investment entities. Her work has included developing a mutual fund that invested in equity securities of listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other listed real estate companies; establishing private equity and hedge funds that help clients raise capital by preparing offering materials, negotiating with prospective investors, preparing partnership and LLC operating agreements and advising on and documenting management arrangements; advising on the establishment of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs/Token Offerings) and counseling SEC registered and state investment advisers regarding organizational structure and compliance. Ms. Carrington is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in International Relations. She earned her Juris Doctorate from New England Law | Boston and her LL.M. in Banking and Financial Law from Boston University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York. Currently, her practice focuses on assisting investors, start-ups, small and mid-size businesses with their legal needs in the areas of corporate and securities law.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Very thorough and professional. Great extension of resources for follow through on this particular project we worked on."

Linda W. on ContractsCounsel
View Linda
5.0 (12)
Member Since:
August 15, 2023

Linda W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
West Palm Beach, FL
40 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
University of Miami School of Law

o Experience includes meeting with clients, numerous court appearances and mediations concluded with successful settlements. Exceptional communication skills both oral and written. Available to travel…. Flexible schedule. A general practice with emphasis in contracts of any nature, landlord/tenant/ real estate, leases, prenuptial and antenuptial agreements, wills and trusts, collections, business..... * In addition, Florida Real Estate License with extensive experience in this area as well. • o Skills: Legal Matters · Legal Practice · Interpersonal Skills · Employment Contracts · Time Management · Mediation · Legal Document Preparation · Commercial Contracts · Writing · Dispute Resolution · Attention to Detail · Real Estate · Contract Negotiation · Due Diligence · Breach of Contract · Analytical Skills

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"I am so thankful to have chosen Linda W. to represent me regarding a family-related legal matter. She is very well-versed in family law and answered all of my questions in a timely and helpful manner. I highly recommend Linda W. to those seeking legal counsel."

George O. on ContractsCounsel
View George
4.9 (5)
Member Since:
November 2, 2020

George O.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Houston, Texas
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TX
South Texas College of Law

George Oggero is a down-to-earth lawyer who understands that his clients are human beings. He is a lifelong Houston resident. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and then Texas A&M University. He obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 2007. He is experienced in real estate, criminal defense, civil/commercial matters, personal, injury, business matters, general counsel on-demand, and litigation.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"George simply and clearly helped me understand the requirements associated with my business which saves me time, money and unnecessary paperwork!"

John M. on ContractsCounsel
View John
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
June 4, 2024

John M.

Senior Corporate Counsel
Free Consultation
Foxboro, MA
24 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MA, NY
Boston University School of Law (J.D.)

John Mercer is a distinguished corporate counsel who is well-known for turning legal challenges into strategic assets. He possesses a deep understanding and expertise in intellectual property (IP), compliance, and corporate law, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. His proficiency lies in transforming legal complexities into strategic advantages, ensuring operational excellence, and driving innovation forward. John excels at safeguarding an organization's legal interests and integrity, ensuring operations adhere to the law. As a strategic leader, John excels at safeguarding an organization’s legal interests and integrity, ensuring operations adhere to the law. He also brings immense value to his profession through his skills in drafting, negotiating, and managing significant agreements that secure organizational interests with widespread industry impact. His unparalleled expertise in legal advisories significantly enhances compliance and develops risk management frameworks that protect and advance company ambitions. Moreover, John's command over patent and trademark portfolios, alongside his ability to drive innovation initiatives and design incentive schemes, substantially bolsters intellectual property prowess. John's areas of expertise are extensive, covering skills vital to corporate law, legal contract negotiations, material transfer agreements, and more. He is particularly adept in regulatory compliance, legal consulting, clinical trials, biotechnology, patents, and patent portfolio analysis, to name a few. His leadership is complemented by active listening, analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and other soft skills that make him a leader and visionary.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Thank you John, I appreciate your very personal effort with quality and practicality in mind."

Jorge R. on ContractsCounsel
View Jorge
5.0 (3)
Member Since:
June 3, 2024

Jorge R.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Burien, WA
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA
Seattle University

**Bio:** My name is Jorge Ramos, and I am an experienced family law attorney practicing since 2011. Over the years, I have honed my skills and knowledge in family law, having worked with prestigious law firms before establishing my own solo practice. My expertise spans a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. I am dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate legal representation, ensuring that my clients receive the support and guidance they need during challenging times. My commitment to excellence and client-focused approach have earned me a reputation as a trusted advocate in the field of family law.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"I would HIGHLY recommend Jorge. He was extremely responsive and finished my project extremely quickly. He was easy and professional to communicate with, and could explain things to me in a way I would understand it. Thank you Jorge!"

Mark L. on ContractsCounsel
View Mark
Member Since:
June 7, 2024

Mark L.

Transactional & IP Attorney
Free Consultation
Boston, MA
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MA
Suffolk University Law School

I worked in the Intellectual Property Group at Fidelity Investments for almost 25 years, including managing the group from 2017-2021. I managed and developed the same high-performing group of three legal professionals from 2007-2021. Early in my career at Fidelity, I focused primarily on trademark matters, including trademark searching and clearance, as well as enforcement of trademark rights. In fact, I created Fidelity's trademark and brand protection programs and advanced them over more than two decades, eventually bringing the domestic trademark portfolio in-house and realizing savings of well over $2 million in outside counsel expenses for searching, prosecution and maintenance of US registrations from 2008-2021. Fidelity put me through law school, and I continued working full time while attending law school at night over four years. Upon graduation and passing the bar in 2006, I was promoted to an attorney position effective 1/1/2007. My practice broadened, and I began working on more transactional matters. I became a key transactional attorney for major technology groups and businesses within Fidelity, and negotiated numerous mission critical tech deals, transforming Fidelity's business. I provided transactional and IP support for Fidelity's software development and services affiliate in Ireland, and worked extensively with many of Fidelity's other foreign affiliates. Fidelity's General Counsel handpicked me to provide transactional and IP support to a new business initiative in 2017. That initiative became fintech startup Akoya, LLC, a paradigm-shifting business that enables secure, customer-controlled sharing of personal financial information between financial institutions and service providers. I developed template agreements between Akoya and data providers (financial institutions) and also between Akoya and data recipients (e.g. tax preparation services and financial advisors). Akoya had matured enough to be spun out by Fidelity in early 2020 to a consortium of financial services companies. In 2021, Fidelity offered a voluntary buyout to long-tenured associates, and following the pandemic, coupled with the financial and health benefits included in the package, it was an offer I could not refuse. Days later, my elderly father-in-law broke his hip, and my wife and I became his primary caregivers. It's been a blessing that I was able to contribute to his care and alleviate some of the burden on my wife. He is now in a long-term care facility, and I am eager to return to work as in-house counsel, whether on a contract basis, part time or full time. I did work briefly as a sole practitioner in 2021 and 2022, primarily helping friends, family and pro bono clients with NDAs, business formation issues, consulting agreements and license agreements. From August 2022 - July 2023, I was on the staff of Flex by Fenwick, an in-house counsel on demand business that is a subsidiary of the IP firm Fenwick & West, but did not get any engagements. My wife and I have volunteered for over a year with a dog rescue, Last Hope K9 Rescue, and have fostered several dogs, and adopted two of them!

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a Real Estate Contract?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 12,921 reviews
CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Real Estate Lawyers
COMMERCIAL ZONING LAWYERS BY CITY
See All Commercial Zoning Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a Real Estate Contract?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 12,921 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city