Rural Zoning--People, Property, and Public Policy

Excerpts from the report Introduction: Interest in rural zoning grew in response to the rapid shifts in land use since the end of World War II. In this period we've seen almost unbelievable growth of suburbs around cities of all sizes. Areas that had always been wholly rural have been invaded and occupied by large populations with their homes, factories, and shopping centers. This growth, largely unplanned, has provided employment, made new human resources available to communities, improved the home environment of many people, and changed both the physical and political landscape. In its wake it has also left dissatisfaction and frustration. In some places it has brought exaggerated demands for government services, increasing and often inequitable taxes, and rampant ugliness. These problems have stimulated interest in methods which may guarantee more rational and systematic development of land. One suggested solution is rural zoning—that is, controls on land use which are effective outside municipal boundaries through the efforts of counties or towns. Zoning in rural areas is relatively new. It dates from the 1930's, but didn't start to become popular until the mid-1940's. The objectives of rural zoning have changed considerably since it was first tried, and it has extended to almost all States. Not only has it become more sophisticated and more scientific, but it relies much more upon citizen participation. Zoning is a legal method whereby local government regulates land use for the public benefit. In this process, a zoning ordinance divides the affected area into districts. Within those districts, it regulates the use of land and the density of population. The ordinance consists of a text and a map.