Bauzonen

Bauzonen are defined areas within a municipality's zoning or land-use plan where construction and land use are regulated. They provide a framework for orderly development by specifying which uses and building intensities are permitted in different parts of a town or region, and by guiding where housing, commerce, industry, or open space can be located.

Typical Bauzonen include residential zones (Wohnbauzonen), commercial or mixed-use zones (Gewerbe- oder Mischbauzonen), and industrial zones (Industrie- oder Gewerbezonen). In addition, general building zones may be distinguished from more specialized zones, and areas outside the Bauzonen are often reserved for agriculture, forestry, or protected green spaces. The precise categories, definitions, and permitted densities vary by country and jurisdiction.

The legal basis for Bauzonen is provided by national or regional planning laws and the corresponding land-use plans. In Germany, for instance, the building and land-use planning framework (Bauleitplanung) comprises a general plan (Flächennutzungsplan) and a development plan (Bebauungsplan) that designate Bauzonen and set rules on uses, building heights, and floor-area ratios. Similar systems exist in other German-speaking regions, with cantons, states, or municipalities issuing guidelines and maps.

Designation of Bauzonen is carried out by local authorities, often with public participation. Changes to zones typically require formal procedures, planning approvals, and alignment with broader objectives such as housing supply, infrastructure, and environmental protection. Real estate development must conform to the established Bauzone to obtain permits.