Overlay Districts

Print

Font Size: + -

What is an Overlay District?

An overlay district applies an additional layer of standards to all areas within a defined overlay boundary, regardless of the underlying base zoning district.

Why are Overlay Districts Used?

Overlay districts are for areas of the city that have unique qualities requiring special treatment or locations where special approaches to development may be warranted. They are established as a means of addressing specific aspects of land use control or development design that transcend base zoning district provisions. Overlay districts permit greater design flexibility than otherwise permitted by the conventional standards of this zoning and development code. As the name implies, overlay districts “over-lay” applicable base district classification to alter some or all of the zoning regulations that apply to particular sites.

When are Overlay Districts Appropriate?

Overlay districts may be appropriate in areas where there are natural resource considerations, where historic preservation is needed, where there is the need to balance institutional development with the need to preserve surrounding neighborhoods, to maintain community character, for infrastructure protection or to accomplish city policy objectives for specific areas.