Zoning Code Updates

The Zoning Code is Article 32 of the City Code. Zoning regulations determine both the use of land and the layout of buildings developed on parcels of land.

2020-2021 Update

In June of 2020, the Department of Planning began a review of the Zoning Code.  The current Code was adopted in December 2016 with an effective date of June 2017.  During the adoption process, the Department of Planning proposed having a regular update process for the code moving forward. The goal is to make updates, discovered through application of the code or due to new circumstances not considered in 2016.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our virtual meeting on June 4th, 2020; commented online; and/or reached out by email.  Below is a summary of what has happened since:

  • C-2-E Overlay. A new C-2-E overlay to allow for live entertainment. This bill was discussed at public meetings and drafted, but Council did not move it ahead. Updates on this bill as it moves ahead will be posted on this webpage.

  • Parking Requirements. Discussion of parking requirements. Since our June meeting, Councilman Dorsey has introduced his own bill on this topic.  It was City Council Bill #20-0561. This bill did not move forward in the Council session that ended in December 2020.

  • Billboards. On July 27th the City Council introduced an additional zoning Bill regarding billboards on Rail right of way, City Council Bill #20-0570. This bill was heard by the Planning Commission in September 2020, got a negative report, and it did not move forward in the Council Session that ended in December 2020.

  • 2020 General Zoning Updates. We introduced a bill to amend the code based on the issues discussed in June 2020, City Council bill #20-0601. This bill was a clean up of outstanding, relatively minor, issues identified. This bill received a favorable report at Planning Commission, but did not move forward in the Council session that ended in December 2020.

  • Signage. We began to work on needed updates to the signage section of the code, and that work is continuing -- more detailed info will be available via this link.

As we move into 2021, we plan to update and re-introduce much of City Council bill 20-0601, signage amendments and include comments, concerns received since the drafting of the previous bill. Our plan is a February introduction. 

We will continue to update here with schedules for meetings and hearings and as always if you have ideas or comments please email to [email protected]

Reading the Code: A Quick Guide

A glossary of terms common to the Zoning Code is available via this link.

  • The use table tells you whether or not a given use is (1) permitted, (2) conditional or (3) not allowed for each zoning category.
    • Conditional uses may be approved by either the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA) or the City Council (by ordinance) following a public hearing on the matter.
  • The bulk regulations table tells you how large a building may be on a site - it tells you about height restrictions, minimum lot area, minimum size of yards, and maximum floor area ratios.

View the Zoning Code