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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.

Planning, zoning & codesClear search

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 · 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 · 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 · 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.
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.
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.
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 · 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
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 · 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
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
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
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 · 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.
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
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 · 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 · 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 · Planning, zoning & codes
Can I downzone in California
Visitor Question: Can our City Council grant us a downzone in California from multi family residential to single family, in order to become eligible for
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can the Town Board deny a petition without a public hearing
Visitor Question: Our town board had three landowners ask to have their land changed from 3 acre residential to commercial zoning. Can the town deny these
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can we be forced to stop renting through Airbnb
Visitor Question: We just received a warning to stop doing short term rentals. To cut a long story short, my husband was involved in a bad accident a few
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Can zoning be changed without notification
Visitor Question: Can the planning and zoning department change the zoning on my property without any notification? Editors' Reply: Oh, this really shouldn't
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Canopy Violation
Last Reviewed: June 17, 2024 Visitor Question: Do I have to pull a permit for a 10' by 20' canopy which is assembled at the back of my house? I have to
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Cellular Antennas on Historic Buildings
Visitor Question: A new local project development consists of a total renovation of a former factory building into condominiums. The building has historical
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Church buying residence to use for youth center does zoning allow
Visitor Question: A church on the next block over has purchased the house behind ours. We asked some people coming out of the church what they intended
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Church in R1 zoning to be a house
Visitor's Question: A church building lies on property zoned R1 in a residential neighborhood. It has always been a church as far as we know. The church
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Church Parking Lot Leased for Business Parking
Visitor Question: We live near a church which is located in a residential area. The church main parking lot holds about 200 cars. The have leased about
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Church Property Rezoning
Visitor Question: Must a property bearing a place of worship always be a place of worship? Or may it be sold for any use permitted by the zoning, such
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Church sold lots and cannot meet parking requirement
Visitor Question: I have general questions. A large church congregation owns several parcels in a half-residential/half-office zoned area. It then sells
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Church Zoning Often Subject to Special Use Permits
Once church zoning was permitted as of right in residential districts. But traffic and other issues have led to cities often requiring conditional use permits.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Churches in Single Family Neighborhood
Visitor Question: If a church is approved for an existing low density single family home neighborhood, is it treated the same as every other resident of
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
City Mistake on Zoning Requirement Adds to Financial Hardship
Visitor Question: My family has owned a mobile home park for over 10 years now. After the flood of 2011 the basement of our two-story home began to cave
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
City Planning With Kids May Give New Insight into the Future of the Community
City planning with kids can produce candid comments, lucid perceptions, and truth telling episodes that help adults think creatively.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
City shuts off water for code violations
Reviewed: May 31, 2024 Visitor Question: Our City Council has adopted a policy of shutting off city-provided water to residences to enforce code violations.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
City wants to change residential zoning to agricultural
Visitor Question: I bought 13 acres to develop with housing. The property is zoned R-6, a residential category. Now the city wants to change the zoning
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Climate Change Planning Presents New Physical, Social, and Economic Challenges
I think local climate change planning takes one of four pathways. Here we describe how your community can decide on an approach.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement and Standing Water
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Website Visitor's Original Question: A family purchased a small inflatable swimming pool during the summer, and placed the pool
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code enforcement and wood piles
Published: October 1, 2024 Visitor Question: I thought it was supposed to be against codes to stack firewood on bare ground in a neighborhood. My neighbor
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code enforcement entered home
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: I live in Flint, Michigan. Code enforcement entered my home, threw back the door, then took pictures of my home
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement in Rural Areas
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Is there any code enforcement in rural areas? I'm tired of living around junked cars, rusting machinery, old
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement Letter Received
Last Reviewed: July 4, 2024 Visitor Question: We received a letter which was a fill-in-the-blanks city code violation form that says we have 10 days
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement Letters Not Received
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: So I had a rather large problem arise involving a code enforcement and wanted some info before dealing with
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code enforcement officer in backyard without consent
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Hi. I am a resident of the Village of BISCAYNE Park, Dade County. I have the code enforcement officer harassing
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement Questions Often Arise Because of Inconsistency, Wrong Emphasis
Many code enforcement questions arise because of standards that seem too strict or too lax. Here you can ask pros what they think.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement Right to Enter Property
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Can a Non-Certified, non-law enforcement Code Enforcer in Colorado enter your property without permission or
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code Enforcement says too much stuff
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: My husband has ADD. He lost his job and as a result, he buys and sells things. He got cited from Code Enforcement
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code enforcement singling me out
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: What if anything can I do if code enforcement is sending me letters for violations and not to anybody else I
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code enforcement targeting an individual
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Could I be targeted for code violations? Editors Respond: We assume that you mean that you feel that the city
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Code officer ignores my written complaints
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: A wealthy and gregarious neighbor has SCHMOOZED the code officer into looking the other way on his development.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Codes to quiet cars with booming sub woofers
Visitor Question: How have other communities dealt with loud booming sub-woofer speakers in cars? We have many in our city. I wonder if there are any ways
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Commercial Church Kitchen as Food Truck Commissary
Visitor Question: We have spent three years upgrading our church kitchen to meet Health Department requirements for a Commercial Kitchen. Now that we
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Commercial driveway in a residential zone
Visitor Question: I live in a small town on a block that is adjacent to the retail district. Zoning is r-3. On my side of the street there are only houses.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Commercial Rezoning Violates Covenants
Visitor Question: I live in a residential subdivision in Tennessee. Recently, the road to the subdivision was widened to 5 lanes and the land immediately
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Community Benefits Agreements Can Be Crafted Carefully to Support Social Goals
Community benefits agreements formalize commitments a developer makes to the neighborhood. These are incorporated into municipal development approvals.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Complete Streets Encourage More Transportation Options
Complete streets shift the emphasis from speeding cars to making roads safe for transit, pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs, and other users equal in priority.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Comprehensive Plan Contents Need to Reflect Community Character
Comprehensive plan contents should be flexible enough to respond to community uniqueness. This is true even when state law requires certain elements.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Conditional Use Permit Did Not State Hours of Operation
Visitor Question: There is a building that is on property that is zoned residential and is surrounded by residentially zoned property. The city does not
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Condo Conversion Zoning and Subdivision
Condo conversion zoning or alternate approval process should focus on both good development practice and preventing displacement to the extent possible.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Conservation Easements Are Practical Preservation Tools
Learn how to use conservation easements to preserve open space, slow climate change, and curb urban sprawl, water pollution, and species extinction.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Control Building Setbacks for Better Urban Design
Learn how building setbacks create and reinforce the character of a neighborhood, whether residential or commercial. See our commercial district examples.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Converting a storefront into a church
Visitor Question: I have a building with four addresses, 2133-2135-2137-2139 W. Manchester Ave. I want to convert 2139 into a small church. What are the
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Counseling Business in a Residence
Visitor Question: My neighborhood is zoned R1-8. A neighbor moved in across the street and is conducting counseling (individual and group) out of the home.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Deed Restrictions and Covenants May Regulate Land Use, Aesthetics
Deed restrictions, covenants, or CC&Rs can become a major headache for both home buyers and communities.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Definition of a live work unit
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: I was listening to planning and zoning the other night. One of the board members was arguing that live-work
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Demolition would cost town too much
Visitor Question: I am an elected official in a small rural town, where we have many demolition challenges. Our code enforcement officer has been active,
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Denial of LED Sign
Visitor Question: Background: Our church council president recently went before the city planning commission to ask for 3 variances for a new LED messaging
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Difference between regeneration and redevelopment
Reviewed: May 31, 2024 Visitor Question: What's the difference between Regeneration and Redevelopment? Editors Reply: We have to imagine that you thought
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Difference between RPUD zoning and condominium zoning
Visitor Question: What is the difference between RPUD zoning and condominium zoning? Editors' Reply: RPUD commonly stands for Residential Planned Unit
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Do housing codes violate civil rights
Last Reviewed: July 4, 2024 Visitor Question: It seems like many housing codes are very restrictive about what my neighbors and me can and cannot do on
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Do I need a permit to start using my house as a church?
Visitor Question: My city has planning and building departments and Conditional Use Permits. Do I need a conditional use permit to start using my residential
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Do You Live in a Smart City?
Smart city technologies could usher in better city planning through fast and effective prediction capabilities.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Does approved site plan have to conform with new zoning code
Visitor Question: A storage facility submitted a site plan in 1996. They are going to erect the final building this year, 2019. We are being told that
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Does church-related school require a conditional use permit
Visitor Question: Our church is currently zoned institutional and has been operating for over 50 years. We would like to add a small private school but
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Eco City
Last Reviewed: June 19, 2024 Visitor Writes: I've had this concept floating around my head for some time. It's really a half dozen of the 'Sustainable
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Elected Officials and Ordinance Enforcement
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Is it legal for the Mayor or city council member to enforce city ordinances but not obey them on their own properties?
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Enacting An Existing Building Code Helps, But You May Need More
A standard existing building code is a very useful addition that allows alternatives to new construction standards for older buildings.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Establishing a new location for church
Visitor Question: Does a proposed church location have to be a certain number of feet away from a bar/strip club? Editors Reply: We cannot give you a
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Excessive regulation of boat docks
Visitor Question: Our dock (considered as one) has two hoists on it. We have been using it this way since we've lived here (20 plus years). Now, our City
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Existing Businesses in an Incorporation
Visitor Question: Our City incorporated in 2008. Many Rural Home Businesses had operated from home successfully for more than forty years. The home business
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Family reunion rental in single-family zoning?
Visitor Question: A 17,000 square foot home is under construction as a single family residence in our quiet residential area. It has come to our attention
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Fear of Rural Zoning Shouldn't Prevent Planning
In many states, the idea of rural zoning would stir up controversy overnight. And perhaps rightfully so. It's more important to decide which aspects of agricultural heritage to preserve.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Feel harassed by code enforcement officer
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: I was given a code violation for graffiti on my fence. Every year I have had to correct this. This year in around
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Fighting Hotel Zoning
Visitor Question: My neighborhood has changed considerably over the years. I live in a residential community that allows hotels; however, there is only
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Gas station and historical property
Visitor Question: Hi. Can I sue my city for disregarding their own ordinance about gas stations too close to homes and in view of an historical landmark?
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Gas station in residential area
Visitor Question: I've seen that in residential areas where a gas station is near neighborhood homes, the gas station causes problems of daily living.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Gas Station Next to My House
Visitor Says: Hi my name is Yanci Arreola. I've lived in Safford AZ for 3 years. About 2 years ago we had a realtor come up to us trying to buy our property.
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
Good Annexation Policy Leads to Rational Service Boundaries and City Planning
Annexation may be a tool to reduce the likelihood of future blight, to bring zoning and subdivision regulation consistency throughout a growing urban area, and to help control sprawl and random growth. This article includes a sample…
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Grandfathered housing development zoning
Visitor Question: Does the owner have any legal problems if his density is more than the R-3 zoning? The owner wants to rezone his property to R-4 to match
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Grandfathered Zoning
Visitor Question: I bought a house that is ten feet from the south side property line and is angled to the north. This allows room to add a detached garage
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Holiday decorations stay up too long
Visitor Question: We have a problem in our smaller city with people leaving their holiday decorations up for way too long. For example, as I am writing
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Home church with sail sign
Visitor Question: I have a neighbor that is holding church services in their home on Sundays, but now they have a large sign that looks like a sail advertising
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Home Occupation Zoning - Getting Neighborhood Support
Visitor Question: I am interested in amending the Residential Zoning code of our village to allow home-based businesses. I have a personal feeling that
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
Homeowners rights with code enforcement
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: I live in North Miami and I have this code officer harassing me because of a code violation report to them by
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How does zoning pertain to condos?
Visitor Question: I am wondering whether the zoning law covers our condos. If so, how does that work? It seems like my large community is sort of self-governing,
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How far can the city go in forcing citizens to obey codes?
Reviewed: June 12, 2024 Visitor Question: Our city is really gonzo about forcing citizens to keep their property code worthy. Every person up and down
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How Far from Property Line Should Trees Be
Visitor Question: How far from someone's property line does someone have to be in order to plant large growing trees? Editors Reply: In most places, the
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
How Form-Based Code Differs from Traditional Zoning
A form-based code replaces all or part of a zoning ordinance with standards defining scale, mass, and placement of buildings instead of rigid land use classes.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How many people can legally attend a residential fellowship
Visitor Question: Hi, I am curious as to how many people can attend a residential fellowship. There are no monetary offerings, but we do host a church
Guide · Planning, zoning & codes
How Neighborhood Demographics Affect Housing and Service Needs
Understanding neighborhood demographics trends over time helps communities see where they’re headed, and then figure out strategies to reach the desired future.
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How often do cities update their zoning maps
Visitor Question: Is there some sort of schedule when cities are required to update their zoning maps? It seems like the zoning gets applied here, and
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How rezoning affects property value
Visitor Question: I currently live in a subdivision that is divided into 5 acre tracts and zoned as rural residential. Currently a rezoning R-1 has been
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How to convert commercial property to residential
Visitor Question: A friend of mine owns a building that is currently considered commercial property and wants to change it to residential. The land itself
Visitor question · Planning, zoning & codes
How to Get City to Enforce Ordinance
Visitor Question: The City where I live has a definite zoning ordinance (Code 82.15) that states commercial vehicles are not to be parked in residential

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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.