Zoning Assistant
Ask plain-language questions about zoning regulations, parcel data, and development requirements — no GIS expertise or document searching required.
How to use it
Open the main page of your city portal.
Type your question in the chat box at the bottom of the screen.
Press Enter or click Send.
The assistant streams its answer in real time, showing each reasoning step as it works.
What you can ask
The assistant can answer questions about zoning classifications, permitted uses, development standards, parking requirements, height limits, and special overlay zones. Here are some examples:
“What zone is parcel 123-456-789?”
“Can I build a coffee shop at this address?”
“What are the setback requirements for R-2 zones?”
“How many parking spaces are required for a 3,000 sq ft retail space?”
“What is the maximum building height in C-1 commercial zones?”
“Is this parcel in a flood zone or historic district?”
Understanding the answer
Each response includes:
Answer text — A direct, cited response to your question drawn from official zoning documents and parcel data.
Sources — The specific document sections or data records used to generate the answer, so you can verify the information.
Map highlights — If your question involves a specific parcel, it may be highlighted automatically on the map panel.
Giving feedback
At the bottom of each response you can rate it with a thumbs up or thumbs down. This helps the team improve answer quality over time. If an answer seems incorrect, click the thumbs down button and leave a comment — your admin can review flagged responses.
Tips
Be as specific as possible. Including a parcel number or street address gives more precise results.
The assistant works best with follow-up questions — ask a first question, then refine based on the answer.
Click New Chat (or the refresh icon) to clear the conversation and start fresh.
The assistant cannot give legal advice. For binding determinations, consult your city's planning department.