Even during the ancient period some form of zoning was practiced that kept some industries outside the central areas and of controlling building heights. In Rome the height of buildings was limited first to 70 feet at the time of Augustus and later to 60 feet and subsequently to twice the street width by Nero. It has been pointed out that like all regulations these regulations were frequently disregarded!

During the Middle Ages there was very little building of cities in Europe. Smaller towns grew up. As the urban population grew, the constrictions caused by walls and fortifications led to overcrowding, the blocking out of air and light, and very poor sanitation. Irregularity was the common characteristic of medieval cities—in places, street lines and widths.