ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Zoning in the United States (land use)

Okay, zoning is like when mommy and daddy set rules at home so that we can all live together happily. In the same way, zoning is when cities and towns set rules for how the land can be used in different areas.

Like how we have a bedroom for sleeping and a playroom for playing, cities have different zones for different things. For example, there are zones for houses, stores, factories, and even farms.

These rules help make sure that the buildings in different zones don't get in each other's way. For example, a factory might make a lot of noise and pollution, which wouldn't be very nice for people who live in a zone for houses. And cows might not be very happy in a zone for stores!

So, zoning helps make sure that the different types of buildings are located in the right places, so everyone can live and work happily without bothering each other too much!