Architectural engineering and zoning are orthogonal. As an example, zoning is about how tall a NYC skyscraper can be, engineering is about it not falling over. Your article is about the latter.
I think most of the Zoning laws are about what purposes the building can serve. Like do you really want a meat packing plant built in your neighborhood or a fireworks factory? Now there maybe overly restrictive Zoning but having no Zoning is likely not a good idea.
- convert it to a duplex, triplex, or quadplex without changing the footprint of the building
- build an ADU for another resident on your property, even if it will fit and otherwise be up to code
- tear your house down and build a 5-story residential building
These codes aren't about preventing meatpacking plants from being built in residential neighborhoods as much as they are about creating an artificial ceiling on the number of residents of a residential neighborhood.