What is a typical characteristic of an overlay zoning approach?

What is a typical characteristic of an overlay zoning approach?

• A. Overlay zoning adds extra restrictions or allowances atop base zoning (e.g., historic preservation overlay).
• B. Overlay zoning replaces base zoning entirely with a single-use zoning.
• C. Overlay zoning replaces base zoning with a new district.
• D. Overlay zoning imposes tax incentives for new developments.

Answer: (A)

Overlay zoning sits on top of existing base zoning, adding extra rules or allowances to address a specific goal. This lets a city protect or guide particular features—like historic resources—while keeping the underlying district’s uses and densities intact. For example, a historic preservation overlay might require façade treatments, architectural review, or design standards beyond what the base zoning requires. Because it layers onto the base zoning, it doesn’t replace it with a new single-use district, and it isn’t primarily about tax incentives, which are separate tools.

Overlay zoning sits on top of existing base zoning, adding extra rules or allowances to address a specific goal. This lets a city protect or guide particular features—like historic resources—while keeping the underlying district’s uses and densities intact. For example, a historic preservation overlay might require façade treatments, architectural review, or design standards beyond what the base zoning requires. Because it layers onto the base zoning, it doesn’t replace it with a new single-use district, and it isn’t primarily about tax incentives, which are separate tools.