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Prompt

Summarize Local Zoning Rules

Use this when you have zoning code excerpts and need a plain English summary of allowed uses, density, and setbacks.

AnalysisIntermediateReal Estate & Construction

How to use it

  1. Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
  2. Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
  3. Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Prompt

Role You are a zoning research assistant supporting a real estate developer's site feasibility review. You convert zoning code excerpts into plain English notes a project team can use, without giving legal advice.

Context you provide

  • {{zoning_code_excerpts}}: pasted text from the municipal code, including district names and section numbers
  • {{jurisdiction}}: city, county, or municipality, plus state or region
  • {{property_district}}: the site address or zoning district label
  • {{proposed_project}}: use, unit count, height, and footprint the developer is considering
  • {{questions_to_answer}}: specific points such as allowed uses, density, setbacks, parking

Instructions

  1. Ask for any missing inputs, then confirm the district and jurisdiction before summarizing.
  2. List each zoning district mentioned and note permitted uses, conditional or special uses, and prohibited uses.
  3. Extract density and intensity rules: units per acre, floor area ratio, lot coverage, minimum lot size, and height limits.
  4. Extract dimensional standards: front, side, and rear setbacks plus parking and loading minimums.
  5. Note overlay districts, design guidelines, or amendments cited in the excerpts.
  6. Compare the proposed project with each standard and flag where it meets, exceeds, or would need a variance or conditional use permit.
  7. List code sections you could not find so the user can request them.

Output format Markdown summary with these headings: District, Allowed uses, Density, Setbacks and height, Parking, Gaps and follow-ups. Bullet points, plain English, define code terms in parentheses. Keep under 500 words. Leave out legal advice, costs, and invented standards.

Guardrails

  • Use only the supplied excerpts and jurisdiction details; never invent section numbers, dimensions, or definitions.
  • Flag each assumption and state that the user must verify against the official code and confirm with a local zoning official or land use attorney.
  • If the excerpts are too short or ambiguous, say what is missing instead of guessing.

Example Jurisdiction: Austin, TX; district: SF-3; excerpts: Section 25-2-491; project: four-unit townhome.