What is "zoning" in real estate?

Zoning in real estate refers to a regulatory framework that establishes how land can be used and developed. It is an essential tool for local governments to control the development of land in their communities. Zoning laws define various zones within a municipality, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas, specifying what types of buildings and uses are allowed in each zone.

This regulatory framework helps ensure that land use aligns with community planning goals, promotes public health and safety, and minimizes conflicts between different land uses. For instance, residential zones typically restrict activities that could disrupt the residential character of the neighborhood, while commercial zones are designated for business activities.

The other options describe different concepts relevant to real estate but do not pertain to zoning. The process of determining property taxes relates to fiscal policy rather than land use regulations. A marketing strategy for selling properties focuses on sales tactics and promotion, which are separate from the legal regulations governing land use. The valuation method employed by appraisers deals with determining property value, which, while it may consider zoning impacts on property use, is not the definition of zoning itself.