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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Real Estate Debt for Planners
Menka Sethi
73 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A

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Austin comprehensive plan graphic
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
Mary Reilly
60 Mins

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a row of three suburban homes
Just Suburbs: The New Frontier for Equity and Inclusion
David Dixon
56 Mins
  • CIP
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD

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shelf with legal books
Legal Issues for Form-Based Codes
Mark White
80 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A

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The American City, Part 4: Complexity and Pattern in the City
Mark David Major
53 Mins
  • AIA CES

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historic buildings in Charleston South Carolina
Introduction to Historic Preservation
Meredith Johnson
38 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD

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Regulating Sex Businesses, Part 2: Practical Tips
Eric Damian Kelly
62 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A

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metro train with buildings in background
Transportation Planning: Land Use and Transportation Systems
Richard Willson
62 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
  • SACPLAN CPD

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detached accessory dwelling unit ADU in backyard
Accessory Dwelling Units: Understanding America’s Newest Housing Typology
Jason Neville
57 Mins
  • CIP
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD

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black and white image aerial of suburban homes
The Story of Sprawl
Tim Halbur
163 Mins

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aerial view of a city
Overview of the Planning Process
Mary Reilly
40 Mins

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Sprawling residential neighborhoods with many single family houses.
Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix it
Nolan Gray
67 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM

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map showing land use
Regional Scenario Planning: An Overview
Garlynn Woodsong
47 Mins
  • SACPLAN CPD

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exterior photo of home for urban planning course
Exploring the Regulation of Short-Term Rentals
Malak Hakim
67 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A

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modern house called Falling Water by architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Historic Preservation: How-to Guide
Meredith Johnson
73 Mins
  • CIP
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
  • SACPLAN CPD

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bright neon signs in las vegas
Defensible Sign Regulations
Eric Damian Kelly
63 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
  • SACPLAN CPD

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interior of marijuana dispensary
Local Regulation of Marijuana Businesses
Alan Weinstein
56 Mins
  • AICP CM

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Boston buildings and bridge
The Elements of Citymaking: Design, Policy, and Finance
Jason Neville
57 Mins
  • CIP
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD

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aerial view of suburban homes
The Story of Sprawl - With Commentary Tracks
Tim Halbur
143 Mins

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panoramic image of city buildings along a waterfront
Basic Legal Framework for Planning Officials
Wayne Beyea
47 Mins

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A woman sitting at a sewing machine
Making Room for Home-Based Businesses
Nolan Gray
46 Mins
  • CIP
  • AICP CM

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homes being rebuilt from natural disaster
Disaster Resilience and Recovery Through Land Use Planning
Walter Gillis Peacock
78 Mins
  • SACPLAN CPD

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exterior and interior of tiny home for urban planning course
Regulatory Implications of Tiny Homes
Malak Hakim
58 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A

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three images of New York buildings, Central Park and a man riding a bike
U.S. City Planning 101
Dave Amos
46 Mins

Top Zoning Codes Instructors

Eric Damian Kelly

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

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Daniel Parolek

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

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David Dixon

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

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Mark David Major

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

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Richard Willson

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

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Norman Wright

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

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Brad Neumann

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

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Mary Reilly

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

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Donald Shoup

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

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Geoffrey Ferrell

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

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Mary Madden

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

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Peter Henn

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

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Jeff Speck

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

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Nolan Gray

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

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Jenny Schuetz

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

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Christy Dodson

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

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Jason Neville

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

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Lance Freeman

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

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Meredith Johnson

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

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Chris Holtkamp

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

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Alan Weinstein

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

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Malak Hakim

Malak Hakim is a nationally accredited urban planner.

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James Carpentier

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

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Lisa Wise

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

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools Sign Up

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

Instructor: Emily Talen

Urban planners and urban designers are interested in building places that embody beauty and hope. In this course, Emily Talen, PhD, FAICP, presents free urban design software tools that can help urban planners and urban designers visualize changes in the built environment to support the overarching goal of creating better places.

4.28
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AIA CES
AICP CM
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CommunityViz Introduction Sign Up

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CommunityViz Introduction

Instructor: Doug Walker

In this course you will learn practical applications for CommunityViz, one of the world's premiere GeoDesign and planning scenario tools. Planners, resource managers, local and regional governments, and others use CommunityViz to help them make decisions about development, land use, transportation, conservation and more. 

4.21
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