Our ordinances are designed with the user in mind, so that they can be easily understood by residents, developers, staff, and local officials. They are written in simple, straightforward language that is legally defensible without being mired in “legalese,” and we incorporate design and illustration to help communicate complex regulations. This work includes targeted zoning amendments, unified development ordinances, and land development ordinances.

Historically, zoning has been one of an intertwined set of rules that perpetuates inequality by location based on factors such as race and income. A zoning equity analysis examines how zoning regulations align with community needs and values. These projects allow communities to holistically craft zoning regulations that help to cultivate more diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities.

Subdivision ordinances shape our communities by regulating how land is divided into lots and blocks, including land for streets, utilities, parks, and schools. Updated subdivision ordinances help communities plan for smart growth and green, complete streets that filter stormwater and provide adequate space for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Signs have an enormous impact on the character of a community. We will work with you to ensure that sign regulations balance the needs of businesses and institutions with the form and scale that suits your community. Overall, we will ensure that these regulations are legally defensible and in line with recent court rulings.

Maybe you’re not ready for a full ordinance rewrite; we can work with you to identify goals from your comprehensive plan that can be implemented by writing amendments to your zoning and land use development regulations.

Our historic preservation ordinances help you protect the cultural assets of your community while allowing the community to evolve for generations to come.

We use geographic information systems to analyze existing land use patterns to help you make more informed land use decisions. Easy to read maps and analyses clearly demonstrate how to implement your community planning goals.

Our projects include outreach that balances in-person discussions, virtual engagement, and education to communicate the purpose of the ordinance and how it can impact the future of our communities.