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Zoning: what it means

Zoning is the set of local rules about what each piece of land can be used for and what can be built on it. In Arizona, for example, state law lets each city or town regulate whether buildings and land are used for housing, business, industry or agriculture, along with their height, size and setback lines.

In Spanish it is

Zonificación (zoning)

Also written as: zoning laws · land use rules · zoning ordinance

Verified on October 17, 2026

3 official sources

See the whole dictionary

The full explanation

In an appraisal, the appraiser reports the home's zoning class (such as R-1 or R-2) and whether its use is legal, legal because it predates the current rules (grandfathered), illegal, or in an area with no local zoning. Some construction projects need a zoning permit from the local government.

An example

Teresa wants to build a room to rent out in her backyard. Before she starts, she asks her city's office what the zoning on her lot allows.

You will see it in…

The appraisal report, in the section about the site
Applications for building or zoning permits
The rules for building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

More guides that use “zoning”

Land surveys, property lines and easements

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

What a housing counselor does See free help

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

1. Arizona State Legislature · A.R.S. § 9-462.01: Zoning regulations; public hearing; definitions (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
2. Fannie Mae · Selling Guide B4-1.3-04: Site Section of the Appraisal Report (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
3. U.S. Census Bureau · Building Permits Survey: definitions (building or zoning permit) (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026