International Zoning Code (IZC)

Building codes are regulations that set out the standards to which buildings and other structures must conform. The International Zoning Code (IZC) was established in the US by the International Code Council (ICC) and is applied by most of the country’s jurisdictions as well as internationally, although it can be amended to reflect local conditions and legislation.

The International Zoning Code (IZC) is a model code that regulates minimum zoning requirements for new buildings. It is intended to provide for the arrangement of compatible buildings and land uses and establish provisions for the location of all types of uses, in the interest of the local area. It aims to promote uniformity and consistency in zoning for planners, code officials and developers.

Zoning is the process of dividing a particular area of land into different districts or zones and specifying certain uses (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial) which can be permitted or prohibited for each. Zoning is carried out by the relevant municipality or county, and segregates uses that are considered to be incompatible, as well as guiding urban growth and development.

For more information, see Zoning in the United States.

Like other codes published by ICC, the IZC is arranged to follow sequential steps that tend to occur during a plan review or inspection. The different parts are as follows:

1. Scope and administration.
2. Definitions.
3. Use districts.
4. Agricultural zones.
5. Residential zones.
6. Commercial and commercial/residential zones.
7. Factory/industrial zones.
8. General provisions.
9. Special regulations.
10. Sign regulations.
11. Non-conforming structures and uses.
12. Conditional uses.
13. Planned unit development.
14. Referenced standards.

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[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Building codes.
• Building regulations.
• International Building Code (IBC)
• International Existing Building Code (IEBC).
• International Residential Code (IRC).
• Planning permission.
• Setback.
• Use class designation for land and buildings.
• What approvals are needed before construction begins.
• Zoning in the United States.