Glossary
The CityMinutes Planning & Zoning Glossary.
A plain-English reference for planning, zoning, and development terms used by planning commissions, city councils, and land-use professionals across all 3,142 US counties. Every definition is verified against live meeting data from our nationwide weekly scan.
- terms verified
- 120+
- US counties scanned
- 3,142
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- Weekly
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All terms
- Conditional Use Permit (CUP)? Process, Approval RatesA CUP allows a conditionally permitted use subject to conditions.
- Conditions of Approval? Definition, Examples, EnforcementConditions of approval are binding requirements a planning commission attaches to a land-use approval.
- Development Agreement? Definition, Terms, VestingA development agreement is a contract between a developer and a city that locks in entitlements, conditions, timelines, and mutual obligations.
- General Plan Amendment (GPA)? Difference from RezoneA GPA changes a jurisdiction's long-range land-use policy.
- Planning Commission? Meetings, Agendas, VotingA planning commission is a local body that reviews zoning and land-use applications.
- Rezone Application? Definition, Process, Timelines, CostsA rezone application is a formal request to change a parcel's zoning.
- Setback in Zoning? Front, Rear, Side, How MeasuredA setback is the minimum distance between a building and a property line.
- Staff Recommendation? The 80% Predictor of Commission VotesA staff recommendation is planning staff's written recommended action on a land-use application.
- the Subdivision Approval Process? Tentative Map, Final MapSubdivision approval is the process for dividing land into smaller parcels.
- Variance in Zoning? Area vs Use, Hardship TestA zoning variance is an exception to a specific zoning standard granted on hardship grounds.
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