November 2009

You Asked. We Answered.

At the Inquiry Answer Service, we answer, on average, more than 300 questions for our subscribers each month. We consult a variety of sources to create a custom research packet — which may include APA publications, sample ordinances and plans, articles and literature from partner organizations, and the most current information available online — for each question.

Each month, we choose one question to feature here, so you can see what your peers around the country are asking and how we answered. As a PAS subscriber, you also have access to previous editions.

You Asked.

How can we improve our zoning code?

We are about to begin the process of updating our zoning ordinance, so I am looking for information regarding organization and revision of existing zoning codes to make them more user friendly, easy to read, and better organized.

We Answered.

A number of communities have recently embarked upon revisions of their zoning codes; their aims are both to ensure that their land development regulations are written to produce their desired development outcomes, as well as to make the zoning code user-friendly and easy to understand and use by staff and residents alike. An older zoning code can contain archaic and outdated language, and a steady stream of amendments over the years can result in inconsistent term usage and a patchworked and disorganized document.

Some techniques for updating a zoning ordinance to be more user-friendly include using clear, concise, consistent language; deleting or revising archaic definitions and terminology; providing an index and detailed table of contents, as well as cross-referencing where helpful; providing an online interface for the full document; using illustrations and graphics to better demonstrate requirements; and consolidating and grouping related regulations. Additionally, an important first step in the process is to carefully analyze your existing code to identify any problems so that they may all be addressed in the rewrite.

A code update is also the best time to ensure that your land use regulations confirm with the community vision and plan. This is achieved by reviewing the zoning ordinance to identify any inconsistencies between stated intentions and actual practices and to ensure internal consistency. A smart growth audit allows a community to review existing codes to remove barriers to smart growth policy implementation and create regulatory language to allow desired development patterns to occur. There are a number of audit checklists available that can be used to help you easily evaluate your current code and make suggestions for improvements.

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