Laws for zoning are governmental regulations for land usage for each particular piece of property. Zoning laws change all the time, and as a result new zoning laws and variances are approved. Zones are typically broken down by residential, commercial or industrial. Zoning laws are strictly enforced. For instance, an owner of a residential home does not want a manufacturing plant next door or want to live next door to an airport because it could affect his property values. However, some neighborhoods are zones for more than one type of usage. So you could have a residential area mixed with an industrial area for example. Developers will petition the local zoning and city planning commission for new zoning laws or variances on redevelopment projects. Many times these new zoning law changes will have a favorable economic impact on the neighborhood. Variances are authorizations given by the city which allow a certain exception to current zoning laws such as setbacks, parking or sign restrictions. Public hearings are held to discuss the new zoning laws and how they will impact on the neighborhood. At the hearings, neighbors generally band together and hire a lawyer to represent their objections. When purchasing commercial property, you should do your due diligence and check the local zoning laws to make sure the property is zoned for what you plan to use it for. Some people view zoning laws as giving bureaucrats too much power.