What is overlay zoning designed to provide?

Overlay zoning is designed to provide an additional layer of development standards to existing zoning districts. This concept allows municipalities to impose specific requirements that address particular characteristics or goals for a designated area, such as enhancing environmental protections, preserving historical features, or promoting specific architectural styles. By applying this supplementary layer of regulations, overlay zoning effectively enhances or fine-tunes the existing zoning framework to meet the community’s unique needs without completely altering the established zoning designations.

In areas where overlay zoning is utilized, developers must comply with both the underlying zoning regulations and the additional standards imposed by the overlay. This approach is particularly useful in urban areas where growth and development patterns may necessitate special consideration to protect the character of the community or to encourage specific types of development. Rather than simplifying or expediting the zoning process, overlay zoning enriches the regulatory landscape by creating targeted standards that aim to achieve broader land use objectives.