Community Compass library

Look it up before the meeting

Plain-language explanations and real questions from residents, volunteers, and local officials about zoning, codes, housing, neighborhoods, organizations, and local economies. Laws and programs change and vary by place, so confirm anything time-sensitive with your local office or the current official source.

Browse everything, A to Z

Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
"Front of lot" Interpretation
Visitor Question: Hello. I have some deed restrictions on my property. One of which says no residence or outbuilding can be 50 feet from the front of
Visitor question · Economic & rural development
"Rocky" Small Rural Town Makes Big Splash and Brands Weldon NC
Reviewed: June 4, 2024 Website visitor writes: By Michael Smith (Rural Ethnography Solutions Website) As a independent Qualitative Ethnography Researcher,
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
100 foot setback requirement for churches
Visitor Question: Our city has a 100' encroachment rule for new churches. They measure the furthest edge of the building to the nearest property line.
Guide · Organizations & leadership
13 Spring Newsletter Ideas to Keep Your Communications Fresh
These spring newsletter ideas are clustered into thirteen themes to make your neighborhood e-mail composition chores easier.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
1960s Rental Unit Found Unpermitted
Visitor Question: Hello there, I currently live in a downstairs unit of a duplex in an unincorporated area of our county. Long story short, the county
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
1960s Suburb Needs Refreshing
Visitor Question: Our 1960s suburb used to be the envy of the city. Our reputation was of great homogeneous neighborhoods, a wonderful place to raise a
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
21 Favorite Community Development Ideas to Inspire Both Small Actions, Big Projects
These starter community development ideas serve as examples of activities your neighborhood can begin now.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
4th of July Blow Out!
Last summer for the weekend of fourth of July, my family and I went up to celebrate my Tiiti and my daughter's birthdays which fall a day apart. This festival
Guide · Community development basics
7 Ways That Racial Equity and Community Development Issues Interact
Many people think racial equity and community development are already well linked; this page points out 7 areas where the relationship should be stronger.
Guide · Economic & rural development
A "Vibrant Downtown Ordinance" Is New Approach
We propose a vibrant downtown ordinance, requiring landlords to fill vacant space to make a lively and vital central business district or shopping area.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
A Bikeable Community Attracts Residents, Visitors
A bikeable community offers increased quality of life for all residents. Bikes are earth-friendly, and promote health mobility for kids and seniors..
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
A Building Code Makes Residents Safer
Enacting a building code to cover new construction spells safety for current and future residents, as well as their visitors.
Guide · Economic & rural development
A Community's Entrepreneurship Definition Should Focus on Business Success
The entrepreneurship definition we like is the process of becoming a successful business owner, who shows innovation, action orientation, and creativity.
Guide · Organizations & leadership
A Good Homeowners Association Solves Problems Quickly and Calmly
When a homeowners association board is chosen carefully, receives training, and treats residents respectfully, all HOA members benefit.
Guide · Housing & revitalization
A Housing Condition Survey Can Help You Visualize Areas Needing Most Attention
A housing condition survey helps communities or neighborhoods quantify and visualize housing quality issues. Your group can do it youselves.
Guide · Housing & revitalization
A Neighborhood Watchdog Notes Progress or Problems
We promote a neighborhood watchdog program with a structured checklist of potential problem items that volunteers who walk the neighborhood should observe.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
A New Streetscape Can Create an Attractive and Memorable District
Tailor a custom streetscape with eye-catching sidewalks, landscaping, street trees, benches, lighting, good-looking signs, and other pedestrian amenities.
Guide · Economic & rural development
A Night Mayor Position Helps Cities Cope with Night Life and Night Shift Challenges
A night mayor is a city or downtown association employee who improves both the employment and recreational aspects of a city after dark. We explain advantages.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
A Planning Charrette Requires Preparation and Focus
The charrette is a technique from architecture often used in planning. This page helps you succeed in design collaboration between professionals and residents.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
A Property Maintenance Code Is Good for Your Town
Learn how to implement an appropriate property maintenance code, which promotes economic viability, safety, and attractiveness of your community.
Guide · Organizations & leadership
A Rural Neighborhood Should Involve Everyone
Learn how a rural neighborhood can achieve important results through organizing, mobilizing, and resolving conflicts.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
A Temporary Use Permit Expands Zoning Flexibility
A temporary use permit adds flexibility to the zoning ordinance while still assuring appropriate safeguards over sales, fairs, and seasonal uses.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
A Transit Oriented Development Fable
Last Reviewed: August 13, 2024 Website Visitor Writes: Once upon a time there was a little light rail system that didn't think it was anything special.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
A Walkable Community Is Safe, Fun, and Healthy
Devising a walkable community promotes health, sociability, and efficient transportation. Walking also supports local businesses.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Abandoned Buildings and Lots Require Swift Action
Abandoned buildings and vacant lots threaten the integrity of neighborhoods. Learn about the best steps the community might take to find relief.
Guide · Housing & revitalization
Abandoned Factories Present a Challenge for Communities
Embrace these ideas for reuse of abandoned factories, which quickly become dead zones discouraging investment and attracting trash and illegal behavior,
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Abandoned home in the village
Visitor Question: We live in a small village (pop. 3500) about 20 miles east of Buffalo,N.Y. We have had an abandoned house in the village for 15 years.
Visitor question · Economic & rural development
Abandoned Homes in a Village
In our tiny Village we have so many homes that have been abandoned. There are no jobs available in our area and the few jobs that there are pay such low
Guide · Housing & revitalization
Abandoned Homes Threaten Neighborhood Stability and Image
Learn how a neighborhood or concerned individual can address abandoned homes. Housing vacancy decreases property values and may increase crime.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Abandonment of Deed Restrictions
Visitor Question: I live in a subdivision in a county that has 49 plots. The original covenants were written in 1976 for a period of 20 years with an
Guide · Housing & revitalization
Accessory Dwelling Units Add Housing, Reduce Cost
Learn how accessory dwelling units aid housing affordability, help older adults stay at home, and increase efficiency in providing services and utilities.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Active participation of students in Park Clean Up
Last Reviewed: June 14, 2024 Visitor Question: With rapid development and urbanization most cities are unable to cope with the clean up of the areas.
Guide · Housing & revitalization
Adaptive Reuse Re-Imagines Obsolete Buildings
Adaptive reuse, or converting old buildings to a new use, is an attractive means of adding distinctive and marketable housing or business to a community.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Adding a restriction to my deed
Visitor Question: How do I add a low income housing only restriction to my deed to thwart developers from calling me about my house in my quickly gentrifying
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Adding Street Lighting for Atmosphere or Safety
This page discusses street lighting choices in the language of citizens and community leaders.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Additional Set of Deed Restrictions
Visitor Question: I am in contract to purchase a property here in Hays County Texas. The property in located in a subdivision with recorded Deed restrictions
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Advantages and disadvantages of felt need approach
Visitor Question: What are five advantages and five disadvantages of the felt need approach? Editors' Reply: We don't know whether we can give you five
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Adverse Possession or Easement Road
Visitor Question: A paved road extends from two city public streets across a privately owned lot which has been used by the public, police, fire and utility
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Agricultural Zoning Is a Win-Win for Both Farmers and Towns
Agricultural zoning is useful to towns trying to preserve farming and fight sprawl. Beneficial to both farmer and town, learn how to apply this zoning.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Aims and Objectives of Community Development
Last Updated: May 31, 2024 Visitor Question: What are the basic aims and objectives of community development? Editors' Reply: The aims of community development
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Alley Cleanup Tips for Better Health, Safety, and Aesthetics
Alley cleanup tips will help you build neighborhood spirit, not to mention promote health and safety. Here's how to organize your event.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Alleys Offer Important Advantages in Keeping Cars Behind Houses
Alleys are traditional in cities, but were dropped from post-World War II suburbs. Now they’re making a comeback, and we clean, green, and beautify them.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Amendment to Restriction Never Recorded
Visitor Question: We bought a house on 1 acre in a non-zoned county neighborhood which is just a street. Animals are restricted; however the real estate
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
An Alley Clean Up with a Purpose!
Last Reviewed: June 14, 2024 Website Visitor Wrote: I think a wonderful alley clean-up project would be to make it green! A friend of mine recently did
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
An Introduction to Site Plan Review for Planning Commissioners
This article recommends careful pruning of site plan review requirements and good choices about who approves the application based on what criteria.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
An Off Leash Dog Park Should Match Community Needs
An off leash dog park provides a place for canine play and exercise that also allows owners to socialize and learn about proper pet care.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
An Overview of How Code Enforcement Can Help You Make and Keep a Good Community
The code enforcement overview describes why and how local governments use this tool to obtain compliance with local ordinances. Typical flow is explained.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Annexation and re-zoning
Visitor Question: I have a 15 acre property which is being annexed and potentially re-zoned from Pasco County, Florida to Dade City, Florida, but the
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Apartment Dumpster Area Problem
Visitor Question: Should apartment dumpster areas be enclosed for safety and health reasons? If you rent and requested an enclosure be done and still
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Approaches to Neighborhood Traffic Problems
We pose solutions to neighborhood traffic issues such as bottlenecks, speeding, problem intersections, shortcuts, and ped and bike safety..
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Are cities part of a watershed?
What exactly is a watershed? Are cities part of it, or does the city absorb too much water. Editors' Reply: In a word, yes. A watershed is simply
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Are counties subject to municipal zoning
Visitor Question: Are counties subject to a municipality's zoning ordinance? Our county government is proposing a new recreation center, and they claim
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Are gun buy-backs a good program for crime prevention?
Our city council woman thinks that a gun buy-back program would solve everything. Like if we have no guns, we have no crime. That might do some good, but
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Are Impact Fees A Good Way to Pay for City Expansion?
If you do not foresee both the advantages and disadvantages of impact fees, your city could create inequities and legal problems for itself.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Are parks in a separate zoning district?
Visitor Question: We are redoing our comprehensive plan in our town, and I am helping with some of the outreach to our residents. I wanted to know if parks
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Are Townhomes Spot Zoning?
Visitor Question: There is a parcel of land, 3.3 acres on the western edge of our neighborhood. The neighborhood is all single family homes (R5). This
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Are Ugly Utility Lines Really a Big Deal?
Many business districts and neighborhoods eventually focus on ugly utility lines as detracting from visual appeal. This page explores how to approach this issue.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Are very large cities better?
Visitor Question: What are the consequences that we can expect if we continue to allow and encourage larger and larger cities to be built? I think cities
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Armed code enforcement
Visitor Question: Why are code enforcement carrying fire arms? This is in Riverside County, California. Editors Reply: This is not typical throughout
Guide · Economic & rural development
Arts and Economic Development Are Complementary
Turbo charge the arts and economic development nexus when you actively cultivate cultural connections to tourism, innovation, and place-making.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Ask a Neighborhood Work or Community Development Question
Ask a community development question and receive answers from editors and maybe site visitors. All community and economic development topics are welcome.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Ask Us Questions About Neighborhood Quality of Life
Get answers to your questions about neighborhood quality of life, including nuisances, vacant property, and much more..
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Ask Your Questions About Community Environmental Issues Right Here
When you ask questions about community environmental issues at the neighborhood level, we can tailor a non-technical answer to your specific situation.
Guide · Housing & revitalization
Assess Community's Housing Renovation Needs, Then Act
A lively housing renovation scene is key to maintaining viability of older neighborhoods. Where major revitalization is necessary, begin here.
Guide · Organizations & leadership
Asset-Based Community Development Focuses on the Strengths
Asset-based community development emphasizes identifying neighborhood strengths and talents instead of problems. This creates energy for change.
Visitor question · Economic & rural development
Attracting a grocery store to a rural small town
Visitor Question: How do we attract a grocery store to our town? Editors Reply: Thank you for giving your zip code, which allowed us to see that you are
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Auto Repair Business vs. Boat Repair Business
Visitor Question: Our ordinances limit a boat repair business much more than auto repair. I'm just wondering what the rationale is behind that? I am looking
Guide · Organizations & leadership
Autumn Newsletter Ideas for Your Neighborhood
Many HOA or neighborhood association editors struggle to come up with new autumn newsletter ideas every year. This page gives some thought starters.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Auxiliary Land Improvement
Visitor Question: I live in a residential area. Across the street there is a lot that is zoned residential but classed as an auxiliary land improvement.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Avoid Spot Zoning To Be Seen as Fair
Learn what the term spot zoning, often heard at a public hearing on a municipal rezoning proposal, means and why it should be avoided.. .
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Bad idea to rezone from residential to affordable housing
Visitor Question: My family owns property in New Jersey that is currently zoned residential but is being used for business because our business has been
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Ballot initiative downzoning a land parcel
Visitor Question: A ballot initiative by the citizens of Aurora, CO down zoned a 10 acre parcel of land some years ago, and now a developer wants to rezone
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Beach Nourishment Preserves Tourism But Offers Limited Environmental Benefits
Beach nourishment programs transfer sand from an offsite location to replenish an area torn apart by erosion or storm. This page helps you evaluate costs.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Beautification Projects cost money and North Carolina provides Special Funding or Grants
Visitor Question: Are grants provided by a State, such as North Carolina, required to be paid back in any way or fashion? How do I find the information
Visitor question · Economic & rural development
Becoming Certified as a CDC
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Who can I apply to for my company to become a Community Development Corporation? When is application taken?
Guide · Economic & rural development
Beginning to Understand Tax Increment Financing
Municipalities can use tax increment financing, known as TIF, to finance public improvements by borrowing against future additional taxes.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Being harassed by the city
Visitor Question: My dad's property is in violation. It has been more than two years since we got the first letter. Today, we got the second administrative
Guide · Economic & rural development
Benefits and Components of an Innovation District
An innovation district consciously creates cross-pollination among start-ups, existing businesses, and higher ed, while featuring attractive employee amenities.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Benefits of Beautification and Addressing Boarded-Up Housing
1.Where do I find the statistics and research to convince local officials of the benefits of town beautification? 2.Where do I find research and stats
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Best City Plan: Tell Us Why It Is Excellent
Your example of the best city plan you have encountered could help others determine how to evaluate plans. Share your stories about documents you admire.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Best Street Festival in Chicago? Definitely Wicker Park Fest.
Chicago, Illinois is a place known for its high winds and cold winters. When the summer comes along, everyone in the city is ready to get outside and enjoy
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Best Street Party Seattle's Capitol Hill
Every year in Seattle's hip Capitol Hill area the whole city comes to celebrate the heat of summer, listen to a huge variety of music, drink far too much
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Best way to identify community needs quickly
Visitor Question: I am volunteering to help a local church reach out to its surrounding community and open its doors and 40,000 square feet of unused space
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Best Zoning for a Ministry
Visitor Question: Our ministry has been gifted a piece of property that currently has 3 different zonings. A small piece is 02, a section is HE and the
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Bicycle Sharing Continues to Advance
Bicycle sharing has spread rapidly in five continents and is feasible for smaller cities and campuses. Understand the benefits and challenges.
Guide · Neighborhoods & public spaces
Block Party Delicious Anticipation
When I visited friends in a suburb of Chicago, the street department came on a Saturday morning and blocked off the ends of the street. Our hostess
Guide · Organizations & leadership
Block Units Help Build Community or Solve Problems in the Neighborhood
Block units organize residents of a very small area into a simple structure to address problems or head them off. We tell you how.
Guide · Housing & revitalization
Brownfields Problems and Redevelopment Opportunities
Brownfields, or sites showing the real or perceived need for an environmental clean-up, have become a technical specialty. Learn how citizens can act too..
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Buffer requirements
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: My question is how to interpret the term abuts in a zoning ordinance. Our ordinance says this. Where a commercial
Guide · Economic & rural development
Build Economic Development on Realities, Not Myths
If you are serious about local economic development, avoid pie-in-the-sky activities that don't attract money to the community, and learn what works instead.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Builder Does Not Meet Subdivision Restrictions
Visitor Question: We have a builder that continues to build houses that do not meet our subdivision's restrictions... for example: gravel driveway, non-brick
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Building Codes Versus Deed Restrictions
Visitor Question: What power do building codes have over deed restrictions over a title? What power over a title do building codes have? Editors Reply:
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Building just a garage on a lot in a subdivision with an HOA
Visitor Question: Our HOA has CC&Rs stating one single family use. A lot owner built his house and just bought the lot next door but wants to build a garage.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Building whatever I want
Visitor Question: If I own a property with no deed restrictions, could I build whatever I want on the property? Or if it was a yurt in Florida would that
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Business Conditional Use Permit next to home and farm.
Visitor Question: I live in a rural/agricultural area. I own 55 acres of pasture and farm ground. My only visible neighbor now owns my parents' place
Visitor question · Economic & rural development
Business District Events Favor Restaurants
Visitor Question: I live in Winchester VA. I'm a merchant in the Historic District. The City hired an Events Manager who for three years puts on events
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Business in a subdivision
Visitor Question I live in a Texas rural area, three miles from Pleasanton. I have called every county department for answers, and no one knows the answer.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Business model for a Community Development Center with ICT and entrepreneurial courses
Visitor Question: I am having a challenge of coming up with a social business model canvas to understand how the business at a center that has already
Guide · Economic & rural development
Business Retention Is Best Community Option
Here learn the art of business retention, a much better use of community resources than trying to land one the rare business relocations.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Buying out of covered boat dock restriction
Visitor Question: I have purchased lake property. The owner placed a deed restriction on the parcel I bought. He sold the two parcels on either side
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Camps and Retreats Permit
Visitor Question: We live in a rural Montana neighborhood with 20 acres. There are 10 homesites back here ranging from 5 to 20 acres on a private easement
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can a church meet in a building that is zoned industrial?
Visitor Question: I am a member of a local church congregation (less than 100 people) that has been meeting in a school gymnasium. Due to Covid-19,
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can a City Deviate from Its Future Land Use Map
Visitor Question: I'm wondering about when it is acceptable (or even legal) for a city to deviate from its adopted future land use map, which appears in
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can a city itself apply for rezoning
Reviewed: May 31, 2024 Visitor Question: In our town we have a weird situation. Our city council thinks they can just fill out a rezoning application
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can a developer's unfinished work be used against new rezoning proposal
Visitor Question: I am a resident of a multi-phase development begun in 2017. This sits on a subdivision of large private land. Huge areas of mature trees
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Can a Special Exception Be Exempt from Nuisance Laws?
I bought a historical home in a historical subdivision. Five years after I moved in I began to hear sounds of children screaming only to discover that
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Can a town enforce deed restrictions
Visitor Question: Our town in New Hampshire has a Land Use Ordinance regarding RVs that reads: One recreational vehicle (RV) of any size may be parked
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Can an HOA add a land use restriction by amending by-laws
Visitor Question: We have a complicated HOA, which oversees 13 subdivisions with each subdivision have its own deed restrictions, located in Michigan.
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Can Bed and Breakfast Become Group Home?
Visitor Question: In a non-zoned area, can a property with multiple buildings being used as a bed and breakfast be sold as a residential property for a
Visitor question · Economic & rural development
Can CDCs have employees
Last Reviewed: July 4, 2024 Visitor Question:Are community development corporations allowed to hire employees? Why or why not? Editors Reply: Certainly
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can Code Enforcement make me live in a home that is a health hazard?
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Hello. I live in an unincorporated city in Riverside County. I live on a property that is in probate. I took
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can code enforcement make me move
Visitor Question: I live in a good size travel trailer outside of the city limits at the end of a privately owned dirt road, out of sight from any type
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can code enforcement move my car from the back yard
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Can a code enforcement officer move my car from my back yard of my property? Editors Reply: The answer depends
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can code enforcement officers take furniture from backyard
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Okay so I came home to find multiple things missing from my backyard such as our kids' basketball hoop and pole
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can code officer decide what is trash?
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Who decides what is trash (inside of a 30 gallon plastic container)? Is that the homeowner or the city code
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can codes help with condo sewage problem
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: I own a condo on one side. The lady next door owns the condo on the other side. She moved to another state,
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Can deed restriction limit land use
Visitor Question: Can a deed restriction require the use of a piece of property only for a public park? Shouldn't the owner of the property have some
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Can Deed Restrictions Apply to Only Part of Subdivision
Visitor Question: We live in a subdivision that has had several of the properties excluded or removed from the deed restrictions/covenants over the years.
Visitor question · Housing & revitalization
Can deed restrictions limit use allowed by zoning?
Visitor Question:>/b> Can a deed restriction (i.e. only single family residences) limit the use allowed by zoning (i.e. cluster homes allowed)? I was
Visitor question · Environment, transportation & sustainability
Can emphasizing historic events lead to town revitalization?
Visitor Question: Our community is a little bit divided over how much we want to call attention to certain historic events that occurred at different places

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Original guidance from A Good Community: How to Make and Keep It, owned and edited by Nancy Thompson (formerly Useful Community Development), shared with permission. Community Compass notes and updates are our own and have not been reviewed by Nancy Thompson.