How is a land use ordinance different from a zoning ordinance?

A land use ordinance and a zoning ordinance are both used to regulate how land is used. However, each serves a different purpose. A land use ordinance is a set of regulations that govern how land can be used. These ordinances typically focus on the use of the land and its environmental impacts, rather than on its aesthetic aspects. They will often regulate construction, the types of activities that can take place, and requirements such as minimum setbacks and height restrictions. A zoning ordinance is a set of regulations that control land use in an area. Unlike a land use ordinance, zoning ordinances focus on the aesthetic aspects of land use, as well as its environmental impacts. Zoning ordinances will also regulate construction, but they may also regulate the types of buildings that can be built in a given area, or the types of uses permitted, such as residential, industrial, or commercial. In Washington, land use ordinances and zoning ordinances both act as a means to control development. However, land use ordinances typically focus on the use of the land, while zoning ordinances focus more on the aesthetics, such as the appearance of buildings and the types of uses that are allowed. As a result, land use ordinances and zoning ordinances serve different but complementary purposes when it comes to land use regulation.

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