Guide to Shopping Center Zoning, Permits and Requirements

The right shopping center can bring in loads of customers and transform a neighborhood for the better. However, due to their size and scope, shopping centers are also among the most regulated types of buildings. To ensure that new centers don’t have a negative impact on an area, local governments require developers to meet several regulations when building one. Each type of zoning designation comes with its own set of rules and regulations that must be followed during construction. By learning about different zoning principles, you can understand which areas might be best for a shopping center development, as well as where it may be difficult to build one at all. If you’re thinking about building a shopping center or would like to see if one is already in the works nearby, this guide will help you understand what zoning restrictions apply to different areas. From there, you’ll know what permits you need to get started on your project—and what further steps may be required before breaking ground.

What is Shopping Center Zoning?

Zoning is the principle governing where different uses of land are permitted. In most cases, the type of zoning that governs a shopping center depends on the location of the center within a local government jurisdiction. When determining appropriate zoning for a shopping center, a jurisdiction will look at factors such as the surrounding land uses, public services available in the area, proximity to areas of high pedestrian traffic, proximity to other shopping centers, and the potential impact of the center on the surrounding neighborhood. The jurisdiction may impose several different types of zoning restrictions on a shopping center, including building height, building footprint, and building use restrictions.

Shopping Center Permits

Before building a shopping center, developers must make sure they have obtained all necessary building and zoning permits. Local governments often have public review processes available for the public to weigh in on proposed developments. Most jurisdictions require developers to obtain a special permit before starting construction on a shopping center. This special permit may be called either a special exception permit or a Planned Development permit. In some cases, developers are also required to obtain a zoning variance permit that allows them to build outside the zoning restrictions of the property.

Lot Size and Footprint Requirements

Zoning regulations often include restrictions on the size of a shopping center’s lot and its building footprint. For example, a jurisdiction may require that the center’s lot size be at least one acre for each 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area. This rule ensures that the center’s lot is large enough to provide parking space for its customers and has enough room for loading docks. A jurisdiction may also place restrictions on the size of a shopping center’s building footprint. For example, a jurisdiction may require the building footprint of a center be at least 20,000 square feet, while no single portion of the building be larger than 12,000 square feet.

Environmental Impact Requirements

Some jurisdictions have regulations designed to limit a shopping center’s potential impact on the surrounding environment. For example, a jurisdiction may require a developer to create a wildlife impact assessment that identifies how the proposed development might affect local wildlife. In addition to wildlife impact assessments, some jurisdictions also require developers to prepare a stormwater management plan that identifies how the proposed development would manage runoff from rainfall.

Parking Requirement for Shopping Centers

Many jurisdictions require that shopping centers provide a certain number of parking spaces for customers. These minimum parking requirements vary widely based on the type of shopping center and its location. Some jurisdictions also have minimum parking requirements for employees.

Conclusion

A shopping center can bring a lot of benefits to a neighborhood—from increased foot traffic to new job opportunities. However, before starting to build a new shopping center, developers must follow several zoning and permitting requirements. This guide to shopping center zoning, permits, and requirements will help you understand what type of restrictions apply to different areas. You’ll know what permits you need to get started on your project—and have the information you need to make your shopping center a success.