Zoning Codes & Ordinances

LWC’s core expertise is the updating, modernizing, and streamlining of zoning codes — aimed at making cities more resilient, equitable, and cohesive. LWC has successfully completed zoning code audits and updates throughout California, as well as in Arizona, Nevada, Ohio, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Iowa, Texas, and the Middle East.

LWC recognizes that cities face diverse challenges, especially balancing efforts to attract investment, retain local character, and protect the environment. To this end, the LWC works closely with our clients to develop codes and ordinances that are flexible enough to capitalize on opportunities, clear enough to be easily understood, and produce outcomes that reflect the community’s vision.

Land Use and Development Code Audit and Update

Citywide Update Focused on Modernized Standards and PRocesses

Vacaville, CA | 2019 — 2022

LWC was retained by the City of Vacaville to update and modernize its Land Use and Development Code to increase flexibility, ease of use, and effective implementation of the City’s General Plan.

Vacaville’s Land Use and Development Code was last updated in 1996 and has since seen dozens of amendments. While this approach worked in the short-term, it had led to inconsistencies, omissions, and duplications. LWC led the Land Use and Development Code Audit and identified issues of redundancy, inconsistency, non-compliance, obsolete uses, new uses (e.g., biotech, advanced engineering), and recommended changes and proposed a modernized organization, form, and style. Based on direction in the Code Audit, LWC updated, modernized, and streamlined the subdivision and zoning regulations, reorganizing the Code for clarity, consistency, and ease of navigation. The City Council unanimously adopted the Code on February 8, 2022.

Comprehensive Zoning Code Assessment and Update

Mixed-Use & Transit-Supportive corridors | Affordable Housing Feasibility
Equity | Sustainability | Community Engagement

Columbus, OH | 2020 — Present

LWC was hired in 2020 to lead the Zoning Code Assessment and Update Strategy in Columbus, Ohio, the 14th largest city and one of the fastest growing in the nation.

The City’s Zoning Code was first adopted in 1959 and while it has seen amendments (including overlays and special districts) much of the Code has remained unchanged. While the Code has accommodated a tremendous amount of new development, it also presents challenges as most zoning actions by the City Council include negotiation and protracted debate.

The goal for the project is to produce a revised zoning framework aligned with City priorities for growth management, greater equity, affordable housing, job creation, neighborhood vitality, and more reliance on public transportation. The City also prioritized a more user-friendly code, with a greater use of graphics and tables (as opposed to text) and clear, consistent cross references.

Based on a detailed assessment of existing development standards, review processes, and procedures, plus feedback from extensive community outreach, LWC developed a point-by-point evaluation of the existing code and a workplan for a comprehensive code update. The workplan features form-based and conventional approaches aimed at greater equity, infill development, more objective and streamlined approval processes, and a more organized code.

In May of 2022, LWC was hired to lead the team on the Comprehensive Code and Map Update. The draft Code will be released for community review in Spring 2024. Visit the project webpage for the latest updates.

Zoning Code Update

Citywide Update | Objective Design Standards

St. Helena, CA | 2019 — 2023

The City of St. Helena hired LWC to create a comprehensive update of its Zoning Code following the adoption of the General Plan Update in 2019.

LWC worked closely with City staff, civic leaders, elected officials, and the community to translate the vision of the 2019 General Plan into a clear, consistent, legally compliant, and implementable Code of rules and regulations based on best practices.

The Code ensures sensitivity to the City’s historic districts and neighborhoods, supports the Main Street/Downtown, and ensures the viability of the City’s wine industry while meeting the needs of the community to preserve the character of St. Helena. LWC also developed new robust objective context-sensitive design standards for all residential and mixed-use development in response to recent State requirements and legislation.

LWC developed a public outreach program that featured stakeholder interviews, numerous Planning Commission and City Council study sessions, and community focus groups to support the City’s commitment to an open, transparent, and collaborative process.

The updated Code was adopted unanimously by the City Council on October 10, 2023.

LWC Zoning Code & Ordinance Projects 2006 — Present

  • Alameda County, CA, Ashland and Cherryland Business District Specific Plan and Code Update

  • Alameda County, CA, Castro Valley Business District Specific Plan

  • Alameda County, CA, Castro Valley General Plan Implementation

  • Austin, TX, Land Development Code Update

  • Beaumont, CA, Zoning Code Update

  • Belmont, CA, Zoning Amendments

  • Benicia, CA, Mixed-Use Master Plan and Form-Based Code

  • Benicia, CA, Lower Arsenal Mixed-Use Specific Plan and Form-Based Code

  • Burbank, CA Mixed-Use Development Standard Ordinance

  • Calipatria, CA, Development Code Update

  • Cincinnati, OH, Zoning Code, Comprehensive Plan, and Economic Element

  • Columbus, OH, Comprehensive Zoning Code Assessment and Update

  • Flagstaff, AZ, Zoning Ordinance Update

  • Fontana, CA, General Plan Update and Zoning Code

  • Grover Beach, CA, Zoning Code Update

  • Grover Beach, CA, West Grand Ave. Master Plan and Form-Based Code

  • Hayward, CA, Downtown Specific Plan, Code, and EIR

  • Hayward, CA, Form-Based Code Update

  • Henderson, NV, Development Code Update

  • King, CA, Historic Corridor Revitalization Plan and Form-Based Code

  • Kingsburg, CA, Development Code Update, Form-Based Code and Economic Study

  • Kingman, CA, Zoning Ordinance Update

  • Las Vegas, NV, Downtown Master Plan

  • Las Vegas, NV, Form-Based Code Update

  • Livermore, CA, Development Code Update

  • Lompoc, CA, Zoning Code Update

  • Malibu, CA, Zoning Code and Local Implementation Plan Update

  • Marana, CA, Land Development Code Update

  • Marin County, CA, Development Code Amendments

  • Merced, CA, Bellevue Community Plan

  • Mesa, AZ, Form-Based Code and Regulating Plan

  • Moraga, CA, Moraga Downtown Specific Plan Implementation

  • Pacific Grove, CA, Zoning Ordinance Update and Reformat

  • Pasadena, CA, Form-Based Street Guideline

  • Petaluma, CA, SMART Rail Station Areas: TOD Master Plan

  • Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Northeastern Sphere Annexation Project

  • Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Comprehensive Development Code Update and Objective Design Standards

  • Richmond, CA, Richmond Bay Specific Plan

  • Richmond, CA, Livable Corridors Plan and Code

  • Seal Beach, CA, Zoning Code Update

  • Soledad, CA, Downtown Vision Program, Specific Plan and Code

  • South San Francisco, CA, Citywide Code Update and Form-Based Code

  • St. Helena, CA, Zoning Code Update

  • Tehachapi, CA, Citywide Zoning Code Update

  • Tiburon, CA, Zoning Ordinance Update

  • Vacaville, CA, Land Use and Development Code Audit and Update

  • Vallejo, CA, Zoning Code Update

  • West Sacramento, CA, Zoning Modernization

  • Westerville, OH, Zoning Ordinance Update

  • Woodland, CA, Comprehensive Zoning Code Update