The zoning term used for a zoning technique where a municipality adopts a district in the text of its zoning ordinance but does not map it?

• A. Floating Zones
• B. Overlay Zones
• C. Spot Zoning
• D. Zoning Map Amendment

Answer: (A)

Floating zones are districts created in the zoning ordinance text but not drawn on the zoning map; the district “floats” until a development proposal meets the stated standards, at which point the district can be mapped to that site. This setup matches the idea of adopting a district in the text but not mapping it yet. Overlay zones are actual map layers added to the base zoning on the map, so they’re mapped from the start. Spot zoning refers to rezoning a single parcel for a use that differs from its surroundings and isn’t about leaving a district unmapped. A zoning map amendment is the process of changing the map to create or modify a district, so the district would be mapped rather than left described only in text.