What is the Zoning Code?

The City of Delaware Planning and Zoning Code, commonly referred to as "The Zoning Code" is a section of regulations within the City's Codified Ordinances adopted by the City Council that governs how land can be developed and utilized within the City.   

 

Why did Delaware adopt a new Zoning Code?

The current Zoning Code has not been comprehensively updated in several decades. The City of Delaware is growing and evolving, and it is essential that the Zoning Code adapts with those changes. This was recognized during the recent comprehensive planning process. Goal A.20 of the Delaware Together Comprehensive Plan is to "update the Zoning Code and development policies to conform to the Comprehensive Plan". Planning Staff has three specific goals for this update:

Zoning Map Update

A main component of the Zoning Code is Zoning Map of the City of Delaware. The Zoning Map is an essential piece of the Zoning Code as it designates land use zones throughout the City. The Zoning Code then outlines the uses allowed within those zones as well as additional land use regulations related to each zone.

The Zoning Map update reduces the number of zoning districts in the City and better aligns the new zoning districts with the existing conditions in the City. The map update was approved by City Council on July 14th, 2025 and is in effect. Below is a link to the new Zoning Map.

 The updated zoning code was also approved by City Council and is in effect. The new code and a summary of the approved changes can be found in the links below.

 APPROVED ZONING CODE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES