Zoning Regulations

What is Zoning?

Zoning (not to be confused with building codes) is a method of land use regulation designed to minimize the negative impacts of certain types of land use, by separating them from one another. This is achieved by restricting uses to classified districts, such as residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial zones. The regulations are intended to allow these different land uses to be located and organized in a manner that promotes the public health, safety, comfort and general welfare, to conserve property values, and to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks, and other public requirements.

Most of the laws and regulations we live by are determined at the federal and state level. States recognize, however, that the regulation of land-use is better understood and controlled at the local level. Therefore, under state-delegated authority, Douglas County has its own document which contains the Zoning (property and land use) Regulations.

The New 2020 Douglas County Zoning Regulations show a direct relationship with Plan 2040.  As a result, most municipal governments develop living comprehensive planning documents.  Plan 2040 is our current guidance document.  It was officially adopted in December of 2019 at the city and county level.

The Planning and Zoning offices have two primary purposes: 
1.  To administrate the regulations 
2.  Maintain a planning process that reflects the evolving needs of Douglas County, often utilizing the comprehensive plan to identify those needs.