This includes land whose use has not yet been determined and the provisions of the agricultural zone apply in the meantime.

The rezoning of a building zone to a reserve zone is also used in part to prevent or delay a rezoning, as compensation is due to the landowner in this case.

At the national level, a distinction is made between three zones: Building zones, agricultural zones and protection zones.

Cantonal law may provide for further use zones; for example, there are five types of zones in the canton of Zurich. In addition to reserve zones, building zones, clearance zones, recreation zones and agricultural zones are also defined and regulated as such.