The NY zoning laws regulate building setbacks, building bulk, height, density, parking requirements, use restrictions, etc. NY zoning laws allow each New York city, town or village the authority to prepare comprehensive zoning plans for their particular areas. A zoning site plan and zoning map are then prepared reflecting the NY zoning laws for that particular municipality. Since NY zooming laws change all the time, new maps have to be prepared. Zoning areas are broken down by residential, industrial and commercial. Zoning laws are strictly enforced. 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 NY zoning laws to be changed or variances to be issued for redevelopment projects. Many times these 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 any changes to the NY zoning laws, and in particular, how they will impact a particular neighborhood. At the hearings, neighbors generally band together and hire a lawyer to represent their objections. Some people view zoning laws as giving bureaucrats too much power.