City Zoning

The Department is responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the City's Zoning Code and other similar land use and development standards. Zoning is a tool used by the City to regulate the physical development and use of land in its jurisdiction by assigning each property to a zoning district as illustrated on the Zoning Map. Zoning regulates the activities that are acceptable for each particular property, the densities at which those activities may occur, the height of buildings, the amount of space structures may occupy on each parcel, the minimum setbacks for the location of a building on a parcel, the amount of impervious surface created by development, signage standards and parking requirements.

Zoning was first enacted in the City of Huntington on March 11, 1958. The zoning standards have been modified numerous times since then to keep pace with the ever changing needs of the community and development pressure so that neighborhoods are protected from the construction of buildings and uses of structures that do not fit into the context of the general area. Zoning standards seek to mitigate potential negative impacts associated with additional traffic, noise, signage, parking, storm water drainage and other problems generally associated with urbanization. Zoning standards are developed and recommended by the Plan Commission at public hearings and ultimately approved by the Common Council in the form of an Ordinance. The Zoning Code is located in Title XV, Section 158 of the City of Huntington Code of Ordinances. The City of Huntington operates under "Advisory" planning statues of the State of Indiana as authorized by Indiana Code §36-7-4.

In carrying out these duties, staff regularly advises property owners and developers about zoning requirements for their property. The Department acts as staff to the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and provides technical assistance to other agencies and bodies. The Department also reviews and processes various administrative permit applications (Home Occupation, Livestock Operation, Sign, etc.) and official zoning applications (Rezoning, Variances, Special Exception, Subdivision Plat, Development Plan, etc.) for approval; reviews projects for zoning compliance and responds to zoning complaints from citizens. When property owners face challenges in meeting zoning standards because of the unique circumstances of a property, staff advises them of options, identifies potential options for compliance and if need be, the procedure for applying to obtain special permission from the Board of Zoning Appeals.


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