Land Use / Zoning

Land use in New York State is governed by home rule municipal law which grants significant authority to local governments. As a home rule state, towns, villages and cities are granted the power to determine the majority of the land use decisions within their jurisdictions and should be the first point of contact for questions concerning zoning, permit process and local ordinances.

Land Use Planning in Madison County

The tables show which municipalities have comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, site plan review and those that have established a planning board.

Cities

CitiesComprehensive Plans
Zoning Ordinances
Subdivision Regulations
Site Plan Review
Planning Board
OneidaYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes


Towns

TownsComprehensive Plans
Zoning Ordinances
Subdivision Regulations
Site Plan Review
Planning Board
BrookfieldNo
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
CazenoviaYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
DeRuyterNo
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
EatonYes*
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
FennerNo
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
GeorgetownNo
No
Yes
No
Yes
HamiltonYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
LebanonNo
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
LenoxYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
LincolnYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
MadisonYes
No
Yes
Yes*
Yes
NelsonYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
SmithfieldYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
StockbridgeNo
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
SullivanYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes


Villages

VillagesComprehensive Plans
Zoning Ordinances
Subdivision Regulations
Site Plan Review
Planning Board

Canastota
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cazenovia
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Chittenango
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
DeRuyter
No
No
No
No
No
EarlvilleNo
No
No
No
No
Hamilton
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Madison
No
No
No
No
No
Morrisville
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Munnsville
No
No
No
No
No
Wampsville
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Source: New York Land Use Tools: A 2008 Survey of Land Use Planning, New York State Legislative Commission on Rural Resources *Information updated since time of survey.

General Municipal Law Review

New York State General Municipal Law (GML) requires that certain municipal planning, zoning and subdivision actions be referred for County Planning agency review before local action can occur. This requirement (Article 12-b; §239 l, m, n) seeks to promote coordination of land use decision-making and to enhance consideration of potential inter-community and county-wide impacts.

2014 Smart Growth Awards

Check out the 2014 Smart Growth Awards page for winners and details.

Planning & Zoning Institute (PZI) Training Events

View a list of past PZI events (PDF).