Zoning Report Fundamentals: Understanding and Appreciating the Pre-Design Feasibility Study

Course Description

This course breaks down the zoning analysis component of real estate due diligence reports—a critical pre-design task for property development. Zoning codes are the most hyper-local regulations we encounter on almost every project, and they often feel more obscure than they really have to be. We’ll go over the bones of zoning to lay out the structure almost every zoning code is built on, we'll examine why due diligence reports are essential for evaluating development potential, and we’ll discuss fundamental zoning concepts including as-of-right development, land use, setbacks, height restrictions, and floor area ratios. Through a detailed case study, we'll then show you how to prepare a comprehensive zoning report, complete with site plans, compliance documentation, and visualizations of zoning requirements for a project site.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the essential components and research required for a comprehensive zoning report.

• Identify and explain the fundamental zoning regulations that affect building development, including land use, setbacks, height restrictions, floor area ratios, and parking requirements.

• Understand how to interpret zoning maps and codes to determine what can be built "as-of-right" on a specific site.

• Prepare basic zoning reports that include site plans, zoning analysis tables, and compliance documentation for development projects.