Zoning Codes | Planetizen Courses

One of the cornerstones of urban planning in many cities, zoning codes are sets of regulations used by local governments to control land use by defining what can and cannot be built in specific neighborhoods, what buildings can look like, and what uses can coexist in the same areas. Use-based zoning is an important tool for guiding development in most U.S. cities, but more recently, cities are turning to form-based codes, which focus on design rather than use. Local jurisdictions often push back when states attempt to preempt local control of zoning through statewide regulations that mandate higher density.

Zoning Codes Courses

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aerial view of los angeles at night

The American City, Part 2: The Invention of a New Scale

Mark David Major

50 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM

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cars on highway with suburb in background

Lewis Mumford on the City 5: The City as Man's Home

31 Mins

AICP CM

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Bird-eye view of a freeway in constructions alongside a housing district

Federal Takings Law: Balancing Private Property Rights with the Public Interest

55 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM

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columns in front of government building

Planning and the Law: Procedural Due Process

69 Mins

AICP CM
CNU-A

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various maps of building types

Form-Based Codes: Using Building Types, Part 2

53 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM
SACPLAN CPD

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examples of universal design which include bus stop sign with large letters, public transit space for wheelchair bound people

Planning for Universal Design

46 Mins

CIP
AICP CM

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government building with columns

Form-Based Codes 101: Legal Aspects

Daniel Parolek, Daniel K. Slone

85 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM
CNU-A

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European city with train and buildings in black and white

Lewis Mumford on the City 3: The City and Its Region

30 Mins

AICP CM

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Rendering of a mixed use development with a theatre, restaurant, and residential units above

Suburban Remix: Creating the Next Generation of Urban Places

63 Mins

CIP
AIA CES
AICP CM
SACPLAN CPD

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illustratin of street with buildings and trees

Design in Planning: An Overview

Jason Kambitsis

58 Mins

SACPLAN CPD

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The American City, Part 3: Learning from the Grid

Mark David Major

53 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM

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busy street with pedestrians, cars, and streetlights in New York

Designing the Megaregion

Jonathan Barnett

65 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM
CNU-A
SACPLAN CPD

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Image of a suburban area skyline birdeye view with houses, commercial buildings, and greenery

Zoning Code Reform: Legal and Practical Considerations When Making “Quick Fixes” to Your Zoning Code

102 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM

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Parking Reform Made Easy

Richard Willson

72 Mins

AICP CM

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cars in traffic emitting pollution

Transportation Planning: Effects on the Environment, Health, and Social Justice

Richard Willson

57 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM
CNU-A
SACPLAN CPD

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Planning for Racial Equity

55 Mins

CIP
AIA CES
AICP CM

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Form-Based Codes 101: Citywide and Countywide Code Updates

Lisa Wise, Daniel Parolek, Mary Madden, Peter Park

59 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM

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stores and buildings on main street

Introduction to Planning

46 Mins

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mixed-use development with people walking, retail stores

Walkable Density: Building Livable, Equitable, and Resilient Communities

60 Mins

CIP
AIA CES
AICP CM
SACPLAN CPD

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zoning law books

Code Drafting and the Law

66 Mins

AICP CM
CNU-A
SACPLAN CPD

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Missing Middle Housing: Meeting the Growing Demand for Walkable Urbanism

72 Mins

AIA CES
AICP CM
CNU-A

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Donald Shoup Explains Parking Reform

48 Mins

AICP CM
SACPLAN CPD

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The First Five Years: A Practical Land Use Toolbox for New Planners

111 Mins

CIP
AIA CES
AICP CM

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Regulating Sex Businesses, Part 1: Principles and Foundations

Eric Damian Kelly

61 Mins

AICP CM
CNU-A

Top Zoning Codes Instructors

Eric Damian Kelly

Eric Damian Kelly is a lawyer and planner with more than 35 years of experience working...

Daniel Parolek

Daniel Parolek is a nationally recognized thought leader in architecture, design, and urban planning, specifically in...

David Dixon

David is well known for helping create new, mixed-use urban districts (in both cities and suburbs)...

Mark David Major

Dr. Mark David Major, AICP, CNU-A is a Professor of Urban Design at the Savannah College...

Richard Willson

Richard Willson is a professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at California State...

Norman Wright

Norman Wright is the Director of Neighborhood Services for Adams County, Colorado. In his career as...

Brad Neumann

Brad Neumann is a MSU Senior Extension Educator who serves as an educational resource for local...

Mary Reilly

Mary Reilly is a land use educator with Michigan State University Extension.

Donald Shoup

Donald Shoup is Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at UCLA. His research...

Geoffrey Ferrell

Geoffrey is one of the originators of the modern practice of Form-Based Codes. His work ranges...

Mary Madden

Mary Madden has nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of urban planning and design...

Peter Henn

PETER J. HENN, Esq., AICP, is a land use attorney at Jones Foster in West Palm...

Jeff Speck

Jeff Speck is a city planner who advocates internationally for more walkable cities.

Nolan Gray

M. Nolan Fray is the Research Director for California YIMBY, an expert in urban land-use regulation...

Jenny Schuetz

Jenny is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro and an expert in housing policy.

Christy Dodson

Christy is an Urban Designer at Code Studio, with a background in architecture and planning.

Jason Neville

Jason is an experienced urban planner, redevelopment professional, and affordable housing developer.

Lance Freeman

Lance Freeman is a Professor in the Urban Planning Program at Columbia University in New York...

Meredith Johnson

Meredith is the owner of Johnson Planning and Preservation LLC, a boutique firm that works to...

Chris Holtkamp

Chris Holtkamp is a certified planner and is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning at the...

Alan Weinstein

Alan Weinstein holds a joint faculty appointment at Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and...

Malak Hakim

Malak Hakim is a nationally accredited urban planner.

James Carpentier

James Carpentier is State and Local Government Affairs Manager with the International Sign Association (ISA).

Lisa Wise

As a planner and Certified Public Accountant, Ms. Wise has 20 years of professional experience in...

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All Zoning Codes Courses

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Zoning Code Reform: Legal and Practical Considerations When Making “Quick Fixes” to Your Zoning Code

Instructor: Peter Henn

This course helps both public and private sector planners update and streamline their Zoning Code Standards of Review using legally sound best planning practices.

4.34

102 Mins

AIA CES

AICP CM

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Federal Takings Law: Balancing Private Property Rights with the Public Interest

Instructor: Peter Henn

This course explores how the U.S. Constitution and federal takings law shape local planning, helping planners understand property rights, recognize legal risks, and advance the public interest within constitutional limits.

4.65

55 Mins

AIA CES

AICP CM

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Legal Issues in Sign Codes

Instructor: James Carpentier

This course provides basic knowledge of the legal issues involved in sign codes, focusing on constitutionally-compliant sign codes in the aftermath of U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Reed v Town of Gilbert

4.17

59 Mins

AICP CM

Free