Building Zones

The purpose of land-use planning is to designate plots of land that are largely developed or suitable for development—and that are expected to be needed and developed within the next 15 years—to the appropriate zoning district. 

The canton of Zurich, for example, has the following six zoning categories:

Residential Zones: Areas designated for residential use
Core Zones: For sites and buildings worthy of preservation
Neighborhood Preservation Zones: self-contained neighborhoods that are to be preserved at a minimum
Central Zones: densely developed areas with residential space and administrative, commercial, and service businesses
Industrial and Commercial Zones: for industrial and commercial enterprises
Public Buildings: Zones for the fulfillment of public functions, such as schools, hospitals, administrative buildings, or swimming pools

At the national level, a distinction is made between three zones: building zones, agricultural zones, and protected zones.

Cantonal law may provide for additional land-use zones; for example, there are five types of zones in the canton of Zurich. In addition to building zones, agricultural zones, open-space zones, recreational zones, and reserve zones are also defined and regulated as such.