Zoning laws regulate the following:

• The use of the land
• Lot sizes
• Types of structures permitted
• Building heights
• Setbacks (how far back from the street an improvement can be built)
• Density (the ratio of land area to improved area)
• Types of animals that can or cannot be kept on a property (no pet cougars, etc.)

Violation of zoning regulations renders a title unmarketable. If a seller or a broker misrepresents the actual permitted zoning use of a property, a buyer may rescind a transaction based on misrepresentation.

Building codes are designed to provide minimum standards. The goal is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality, use, and occupancy, location, and maintenance of all buildings and structures. Some examples are plumbing codes, electrical codes, and fire codes. Codes are enforced by the issuing of building permits and certificates of occupancy and by inspections, with fines being imposed on violators.