Zoneline

Zoneline is a term used across several disciplines to describe a boundary that separates defined zones. There is no single universal definition, and its meaning varies by context.

In urban planning and GIS, a zoneline marks the border between zoning districts on maps and in planning documents. It specifies where land-use rules change and is typically represented as a geographic line feature with attributes such as zone type, permitted uses, density limits, and exceptions. Zonelines support regulatory enforcement, planning analyses, and parcel-level decisions.

In transportation and commerce, zone lines appear on fare maps to denote price zones. Travelers crossing a zoneline may incur higher fares or require passes valid for multiple zones; zonelines can be fixed or dynamic in some systems.

In ecological and environmental contexts, zonelines indicate boundaries between ecological or climatic zones, such as biomes or habitat types, and are used for conservation planning and impact assessments.

In facilities and building automation, a zoneline may define the boundary of a climate-control or security zone, allowing different settings or access rules within a structure.

The term is common in data standards for mapping and policy documents. The exact data model and enforcement mechanisms depend on the jurisdiction or system, but the shared idea is the delineation of a discrete zone boundary along a line feature. See also zoning, zoning map, fare zone, GIS, boundary.