Largest U.S. city without formal zoning

Houston is the largest city in the United States that does not have a traditional, citywide zoning code that separates residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Instead, land use is regulated through the city’s ordinances, subdivision regulations, development permitting, and private deed restrictions. The absence of formal zoning has resulted in mixed uses and recurring public debates handled by the Houston Planning and Development Department and the City of Houston at City Hall.