What is the primary goal of zoning codes?

The primary goal of zoning codes is to ensure compatibility of land uses. Zoning regulations are designed to organize urban development by segregating different types of land uses, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural. This separation helps to reduce conflicts between incompatible uses, such as placing a noisy factory next to quiet homes. By ensuring that land uses are compatible, zoning codes promote the health, safety, and welfare of the community, making neighborhoods more livable and functional.

While enhancing property values can be a beneficial outcome of effective zoning, it is not the direct primary goal. Similarly, increasing property taxes is more of a byproduct of development and land use decisions, not a specific aim of zoning codes. Promoting commercial development is often a part of broader planning goals, but the focus of zoning is on the compatibility of various land uses to create a harmonious community environment.