Using Zoning Data
Browse zoning across 25,000+ jurisdictions and generate detailed parcel reports.
Using Zoning Data#
Pillar includes a nationwide zoning overlay covering 25,000+ jurisdictions. You can browse zoning visually on the map and generate detailed reports on individual parcels to understand development controls.
Turning on the zoning overlay#
- Open the Layers panel on the map
- Find Zoning under the Administrative section
- Toggle it on
The overlay appears at zoom level 15 and above — zoom in to see zoning boundaries. Each zone is color-coded by type:
| Color | Zone Type |
|---|---|
| Green | Residential (Single Family) |
| Red | Multi-Family Residential |
| Blue | Commercial |
| Orange | Industrial |
| Purple | Office |
| Cyan | Mixed Use |
| Light Green | Agricultural |
| Brown | Public |
Click any zoning polygon on the map to see a popup with the zone type, zone code, and zone subtype.
Generating a zoning report#
For deeper analysis on a specific parcel, open the property details panel and click the Zoning tab. Click Get Zoning Report to generate a detailed report.
Cost: 5 credits per report. Cached reports are free — once generated, you can view the report again at no charge.
What the report includes#
Summary
- Zoning classification (code)
- Zone name
- Zone type
- Jurisdiction
- Link to the municipal zoning code (when available)
Use Summary A quick-reference grid showing whether key use types are permitted:
- Single Family — allowed or not
- Multi-Family — allowed or not
- Commercial — allowed or not
- Industrial — allowed or not
Development Standards Detailed controls that govern what can be built, including:
- Maximum height (feet)
- Lot coverage (%)
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
- Density (units per acre)
- Minimum lot area (sq ft)
- Front, side, and rear setbacks (feet)
Permitted Uses A list of uses allowed as-of-right — no special approval needed.
Conditional Uses Uses that require approval (e.g., a special use permit or variance).
Prohibited Uses Uses that are not allowed under the current zoning classification.
Tips#
- Use the overlay to quickly scan an area's zoning makeup before running searches
- Combine the zoning overlay with the Analyze tool to understand both zoning and market dynamics
- Zoning reports are cached per parcel — generate once and revisit anytime for free