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Euclidean zoning is a system of zoning where a town or community is divided into areas with specific uses of land, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. It is also called single-use zoning or conventional zoning. It is the most common form of zoning in the United States. It was named after the Village of Euclid, Ohio, where the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of zoning codes in 1926. The court ruled that zoning codes are a valid way to protect public health, safety, and welfare by separating different land uses.

History
The origins of Euclidean zoning can be traced back to the early 20th century, when urbanization and industrialization were creating environmental and social problems in American cities. In response, some cities adopted regulations to control the height, bulk, and density of buildings, as well as their location and use. The first comprehensive zoning code was adopted by New York City in 1916, which established districts for different types of buildings and activities. The code was influenced by the City Beautiful movement and the 1909 Plan of Chicago, which advocated for a rational and orderly arrangement of urban space.

The legality of zoning codes was challenged by property owners who claimed that they violated their rights to use their land as they wished. The landmark case was Euclid v. Ambler (1926), where a real estate company sued the Village of Euclid, Ohio, for prohibiting industrial development on its land. The company argued that the zoning ordinance was an arbitrary and unreasonable exercise of police power that reduced the value of its property. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Euclid by a 6-3 vote. The court held that zoning codes were a legitimate way to prevent nuisances and promote the general welfare of the community. The court also recognized that different types of land uses had different impacts on the surrounding environment and could be incompatible with each other. The court's decision established the constitutionality of local zoning ordinances and set the precedent for what became known as "Euclidean" zoning.

Following the Euclid case, many cities and towns across the country adopted Euclidean zoning codes to regulate land use and development. Euclidean zoning was also supported by federal policies and programs that encouraged suburbanization and homeownership after World War II. These included the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which provided mortgage insurance for single-family homes in low-density areas; the Interstate Highway System, which facilitated car-based mobility and sprawl; and the tax deduction for mortgage interest, which favored homeowners over renters.

How it works
Euclidean zoning works by dividing a municipality into zones or districts that allow or prohibit certain types of land uses. Each zone has its own set of regulations that specify the permitted uses, minimum lot size, maximum building height, floor area ratio (FAR), setbacks, parking requirements, and other standards. The zones are usually shown on a map that accompanies the zoning ordinance or code.

The most common types of zones in Euclidean zoning are:


 * Residential zones: These zones allow housing units such as single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, or mobile homes. They may also allow some accessory uses such as home offices or garages. Residential zones are often classified by density or dwelling units per acre (DUA), such as R1 (low-density), R2 (medium-density), or R3 (high-density).
 * Commercial zones: These zones allow businesses such as retail stores, offices, restaurants, hotels, or entertainment venues. They may also allow some residential uses such as mixed-use buildings or live-work units. Commercial zones are often classified by intensity or floor area ratio (FAR), such as C1 (low-intensity), C2 (medium-intensity), or C3 (high-intensity).
 * Industrial zones: These zones allow manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, or other industrial activities. They may also allow some commercial uses such as offices or retail stores. Industrial zones are often classified by impact or performance standards, such as I1 (light-industrial), I2 (medium-industrial), or I3 (heavy-industrial).
 * Other zones: These zones allow other types of land uses that do not fit into the above categories, such as agricultural zones (A), institutional zones (I), recreational zones (R), or open space zones (OS).

Euclidean zoning operates on a hierarchical model, where lower-intensity uses are allowed in higher-intensity zones but not vice versa.

Examples
Euclidean zoning can be found in many cities and towns across the United States, especially in suburban areas. Some examples of Euclidean zoning are:


 * Houston, Texas: Houston is often cited as an example of a city without zoning, but it does have some forms of land use regulation, such as minimum lot sizes, setback requirements, and deed restrictions. However, Houston does not have official zones that separate different types of land uses, which allows for a high degree of mixing and diversity in its urban fabric.
 * Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles has a complex and fragmented zoning system that reflects its history of annexation and development. The city has over 100 different types of zones, many of which are Euclidean in nature. For example, the R1 zone is the most common residential zone in the city, which only allows single-family homes on lots of at least 5,000 square feet. The city also has many overlays and specific plans that modify the base zones.
 * Portland, Oregon: Portland is known for its progressive and innovative planning policies, such as its urban growth boundary and its transit-oriented development. However, the city also has a largely Euclidean zoning system that separates land uses into distinct zones. For example, the R5 zone is a low-density residential zone that only allows one dwelling unit per 5,000 square feet of lot area. The city also has commercial zones (C), employment zones (E), industrial zones (I), and open space zones (OS).

Criticisms
Euclidean zoning has been criticized for its negative impacts on urban form, environment, social equity, and economic efficiency. Some of the main criticisms are:

Euclidean zoning fails to account for the unique characteristics and contexts of each place. Euclidean zoning also creates uncertainty and inefficiency in the development process by requiring variances or rezoning for any deviation from the existing rules.
 * Sprawl: Euclidean zoning encourages low-density and car-dependent development patterns that consume large amounts of land and resources. By separating residential from commercial and industrial uses, Euclidean zoning creates long distances between origins and destinations, which increases traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Euclidean zoning also reduces the diversity and vitality of urban areas by creating homogeneous and isolated neighborhoods.
 * Segregation: Euclidean zoning reinforces racial and economic segregation by creating barriers to affordable and diverse housing options. By restricting housing types and densities in residential zones, Euclidean zoning limits the supply and variety of housing available for different income groups and household sizes. Euclidean zoning also excludes or marginalizes certain land uses that are associated with low-income or minority populations, such as multifamily housing, mobile homes, or social services.
 * Inflexibility: Euclidean zoning is rigid and inflexible in responding to changing market demands and community needs. By imposing uniform standards and regulations on different areas,

Alternatives
In response to the limitations and problems of Euclidean zoning, some cities and towns have adopted or experimented with alternative forms of zoning that allow for more flexibility, diversity, and integration of land uses. Some examples of alternative zoning are:

massing, orientation, facade treatment, street frontage, and public space.
 * Performance zoning: Performance zoning regulates land use based on its impacts or outcomes rather than its type or category. Performance zoning establishes criteria or standards for measuring the effects of a proposed use on the surrounding environment and community, such as noise, traffic, pollution, or aesthetics. Performance zoning allows for a wider range of uses as long as they meet the performance standards.
 * Incentive zoning: Incentive zoning offers bonuses or incentives to developers who provide certain public benefits or amenities in exchange for exceeding the base zoning regulations. Incentive zoning can be used to encourage desirable features such as affordable housing, open space, public art, or historic preservation. Incentive zoning can also be used to discourage undesirable features such as excessive height, bulk, or density.
 * Form-based zoning: Form-based zoning regulates land use based on its physical form or design rather than its function or use. Form-based zoning focuses on creating a coherent and compatible urban form that reflects the desired character and vision of a place. Form-based zoning specifies elements such as building height,

Conclusion
Euclidean zoning is a system of zoning that divides a municipality into zones that allow or prohibit certain types of land uses. It is the most common form of zoning in the United States. It was named after the Village of Euclid, Ohio, where the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of zoning codes in 1926. Euclidean zoning has been criticized for its negative impacts on urban form, environment, social equity, and economic efficiency. Some alternatives to Euclidean zoning are performance zoning, incentive zoning, and form-based zoning.