zoning 101

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zoning 101 〰️

zoning your business

What is zoning? The term zoning refers to a set of restrictions given by the government on how land can and cannot be used. Zoning determines where certain types of businesses can operate. The city government is more often than not in charge of these laws.

zoning districts

Zoning Districts are an area within the city limits where the regulation and requirements governing the use of land are the same. For example, a collection of land may be set aside for commercial use only, making it so no residential homes can exist in that location. There are several different types of zoning districts.

types of zoning districts

  1. Residential - Districts for residential buildings such as homes or apartments.

  2. Commercial - Districts for commercial buildings such as restaurants, theaters, offices, or shops. This district is where most businesses will operate.

  3. Industrial - Districts for industrial buildings that process, produce, and/or manufacture goods.

  4. Institutional - Districts meant for buildings primarily concerned with institutional purposes, such as offices, libraries, schools, churches, museums, government offices, and more.

  5. Open Space - Districts meant for areas specifically defined or set aside for recreational uses.

  6. Mixed Used - Districts that allow for multiple uses. For example, a mixed-use district could include both residential and commercial buildings.

Zoning on Buford Highway

The codes used to represent each district differs by city. Here is a guide to the districts available for commercial use for each city on the Buford Highway Corridor, as of July 2023, and the city’s description of each one. This is simply meant to be a guide. For the most updated and accurate information, please reach out to your city’s Planning and Zoning Departments.

City of Brookhaven City of Chamblee City of Doraville

Planning and Zoning Manager Planning and Development Department Director of Community Development

Aronda Smith 3518 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 Austin Shelton

Phone: 404-637-0526 Phone: (770) 986-5010 Phone: (470) 622-9357

Email: Planning@BrookhavenGA.gov Email: chambleedevelopment@chambleega.gov Email: austin.shelton@doravillega.us

zoning in the city of doraville

  • Abbreviation: O-I

    District Description: “The office/institutional district is intended to encourage the development of suitable business and professional enterprise, hospitals, medical and dental facilities of a character and density deemed compatible with the primary purpose of this district. Limited retail uses normally appurtenant to office/institutional uses are also permitted” (Ord. No. 2009-001, § 2, 1-20-09; Ord. No. 2012-28, § 3, 12-17-12; Ord. No. 2014-06, § 5, 3-17-14; Ord. No. 2015-03 , § 2, 3-2-15; Ord. No. 2019-012 , § 1(Exh. A), 5-20-19; Ord. No. 2021-33 , §§ 1—4, 4-21-21; Ord. No. 2022-07 , § 4, 1-12-22; Ord. No. 2022-28 , § 1, 7-18-22)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for institutional development alongside commercial development that is pertinent or suitable to be next to institutional buildings.

  • Abbreviation: O-W

    District Description: “The office/warehouse district is intended to encourage the development of office and office warehouse facilities in combination where the manufacture and/or fabrication of products is limited to items that are compatible with surrounding uses.” (Ord. No. 2009-001, § 2, 1-20-09; Ord. No. 2012-28, § 3, 12-17-12; Ord. No. 2014-06, § 5, 3-17-14; Ord. No. 2015-03, § 2, 3-2-15; Ord. No. 2019- 012 , § 1(Exh. A), 5-20-19; Ord. No. 2021-33 , §§ 1—4, 4- 21-21; Ord. No. 2022-07 , § 4, 1-12-22; Ord. No. 2022-28 , § 1, 7-18-22)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for the office and warehouse development.

  • Abbreviation: CT

    District Description: “The district provides a mixture of commercial, office, light industrial, and office warehouse style uses while allowing flexibility in their assemblage and configuration.” (Ord. No. 2010-15, § 5-24-10; Ord. No. 2012-28, § 6, 12-17-12)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for the development of a mixture of commercial, office, and low-density industrial and warehouse buildings.

  • Abbreviation: C-1

    District Description: “The neighborhood commercial district provides a location for limited retail and service uses to satisfy the common and frequent needs of the residents of nearby residential neighborhoods” (Ord. No. 2008-22, § 1, 10-6- 08; Ord. No. 2008-23, § 2, 10- 27-08; Ord. No. 2011-20, § 1, 4-25-11; Ord. No. 2013-05, § 1, 3-18-13; Ord. No. 2015-01 , § 2, 3-2-15; Ord. No. 2017-01 , §§ 1, 2, 1-9-17; Ord. No. 2017-21 , § 1, 8-21-17; Ord. No. 2018-014 , §§ 7, 8, 9-4-18; Ord. No. 2019-023 , § 1, 9-23- 19; Ord. No. 2021-27 , § 1, 3- 17-21; Ord. No. 2022-28 , § 2, 7-18-22)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for commercial uses that serve the nearby residential neighborhoods.

  • Abbreviation: C-2

    District Description: “The general commercial district is established in order to provide suitable areas for the various types of community and regional oriented commercial activities including retail uses, highway business uses, and office uses.” (Ord. No. 2008-22, § 1, 10-6-08; Ord. No. 2008-23, § 2, 10-27-08; Ord. No. 2011-20, § 1, 4-25-11; Ord. No. 2013-05, § 1, 3-18-13; Ord. No. 2015-01 , § 2, 3-2-15; Ord. No. 2017-01 , §§ 1, 2, 1-9-17; Ord. No. 2017- 21 , § 1, 8-21-17; Ord. No. 2018-014 , §§ 7, 8, 9-4-18; Ord. No. 2019-023 , § 1, 9-23- 19; Ord. No. 2021-27 , § 1, 3- 17-21; Ord. No. 2022-28 , § 2, 7-18-22)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for commercial development that serves the community and wider region as well as office development.

zoning in the city of chamblee

  • Abbreviation: NC-1

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended primarily for a mixture of residential and nonresidential development and related accessory uses at a low density and neighborhood scale.” (Ord. No. 743 , 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12-18-18; Ord. No. 784 , 8-18-20)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for small buildings of different types, such as residential and commercial.

  • Abbreviation: NC-2

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended primarily for mixed-use development and related uses at a medium density.” (Ord. No. 743 , 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12-18-18)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for buildings of different types at a larger density than the ones in NC-1.

  • Abbreviation: CC

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended primarily for commercial and mixed-use development and related accessory uses at a medium density.” (Ord. No. 743 , 12- 19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12-18- 18)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for buildings of different types, such as residential and commercial, at a medium density.

  • Abbreviation: CVC

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended primarily for nonresidential development and related accessory uses at a medium density where auto-dominated uses are not appropriate.” (Ord. No. 743 , 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12- 18-18)

    Simplified Description: This district is primarily for commercial and other nonresidential development that encourages walkability.

  • Abbreviation: VC

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended primarily for mixed-use development and related uses at a higher density” (Ord. No. 743, 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12-18-18)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for buildings of different types, such as residential and commercial, at a high density.

  • Abbreviation: TOD

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended to support mixed-use development and higher density development within walking distance of the Chamblee MARTA Station.” (Ord. No. 743 , 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12-18-18)

    Simplified Description: The district allows for commercial and other development that is high density and will be within a walking distance of the Chamblee MARTA Station.

  • Abbreviation: MU-BC

    District Description: “The purpose and intent of this zoning district is to facilitate a high-rise urban form of development with a mix of uses, open space, and a connected street and sidewalk system to support a more active multi-modal and walkable environment at all times of the day.” (Ord. No. 743 , 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757, 12-18-18)

    Simplified Description: This district is primarily for mixed-use, such as residential and commercial uses.

  • Abbreviation: IT

    District Description: “This zoning district is intended for adaptive reuse of properties in which low impact industrial and commercial activities are permitted” (Ord. No. 743 , 12-19-17; Ord. No. 757 , 12-18-18)

    Simplified Description: This district primarily allows for non-disruptive commercial and industrial uses.

zoning in the city of brookhaven

  • Abbreviation: MX1

    District Description: “The MX1 district is primarily intended to accommodate small, neighborhood-scale mixed use-buildings.” (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.41), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for small buildings of different types, such as residential and commercial.

  • Abbreviation: MX2

    District Description: The MX2 district is primarily intended to accommodate mixed-use buildings in mixed-use corridors and nodes. (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.41), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for buildings of different types at a larger scale than the ones in MX1.

  • Abbreviation: CX

    District Description: “The CX district is primarily intended to accommodate mixed-use and general buildings in commercial corridors.” (Ord. No. RZ-2018- 11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.41), 11- 27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district is designed primarily for buildings of different types, including residential and commercial, at a larger scale than ones in MX2.

  • Abbreviation: EX

    District Description: “The EX district is primarily intended to accommodate general buildings and workspace buildings in office and industrial park settings.” (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.41), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district primarily allows for office and general buildings.

  • Abbreviation: C-1

    District Description: “The C-1 district is primarily intended to accommodate retail and service uses that serve multiple neighborhood areas.” (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11- 06 , § I, Exh. A(27.51), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for commercial buildings that support many of the surrounding neighborhoods.

  • Abbreviation: C-2

    District Description: “The C-2 district is primarily intended to accommodate retail and service uses with a citywide or larger market area.” (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06, § I, Exh. A(27.51), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for larger-scale commercial buildings that support the entire city.

  • Abbreviation: O-I

    District Description: “The O-I district is primarily intended to accommodate public, civic, institutional and office uses, as well as supporting retail and service uses.” (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.51), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district is primarily for institutional buildings, but allows for commercial buildings that provide services to the area.

  • Abbreviation: O-D

    District Description: The O-D district is primarily intended to accommodate office, warehouse and distribution uses. (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.51), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for office and industrial buildings.

  • Abbreviation: O-C-R

    District Description: The O-C-R district is primarily intended to accommodate office, retail, service and residential uses and to promote reuse of existing buildings. (Ord. No. RZ-2018-11-06 , § I, Exh. A(27.51), 11-27-2018)

    Simplified Description: This district allows for retail, institution, and residential buildings that are reusing existing buildings in the area.

How do I tell if the location I want to run my business is in the proper zoning district?

  1. Identify the city in which you want your business to be located.

  2. Type in the businesses’ addresses in the city’s virtual zoning map. This will tell you what type of zoning district your business is/will be located in. Click the appropriate city below: