I have found that most zoning issues with our city/municipality come from neighbor complaints. The city tends to be reactive... not proactive. Fortunately I live in a predominantly student neighborhood... being less than a mile from the states largest university.
Students are renters. They have no interest in what I do... and they wouldn't complain about anything.
Too busy being students. On the other hand there are certain quality of life issues which we have learned to adapt to... noise, traffic, litter, on street parking, parties etc. But on the upside... we are practically invisible to the typical college student.
Although I did check with the city before I built... just to be sure there would be no nasty surprises after the fact.
Height. Square footage. Setback from the property line. Stuff like that.
I am in compliance.