It's a fact. The zoning problem you're struggling with today has probably already been solved by somebody else. But how can you find out what's working without spending a lot of your valuable time?

Zoning Practice isn't just an interesting read. It's a toolbox chock full of information geared to inform and inspire, and to implement by planners for the purpose of smarter land-use practice.

Read a sample issue

Current Issues

December 2012

Powering Down Zoning Regulations

Over the past several years, sustainable planning and development principles have inspired a paradigm shift in zoning practice. As a result, an increasing number of planners and policymakers now acknowledge the link between energy consumption and development regulations. Many outdated zoning codes, in particular, are rife with provisions that lead to more energy consumption than necessary or prevent energy saving development techniques. This issue explores ways to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy production through zoning and other development regulations.

Author Jeffrey Beiswenger, AICP, is a project manager for PMC, an urban planning and design firm with offices throughout California. He has worked with jurisdictions in 11 states, preparing comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, development codes, vision plans, master plans, and design guideline documents, and he holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

November 2012

Beyond the Density Standard

The use of density standards has largely gone unquestioned in general zoning practice. However, in virtually every instance, from rote limits such as units per acre to more elaborate approaches such as floor area ratio, these standards have dictated much more than just the amount of development that can occur on a given acre of land. One of the most common motivations for regulating density, especially in residential development, is to guard against incompatible development. This issue explains how zoning techniques rooted in the form and character of development can address community concerns about compatibility better than simple density limits.

Author Norman Wright, AICP, is the Director of Development Services for Columbia, Tennessee. He holds a Masters of City and Regional Planning from Clemson University. His recent work includes writing the first adopted plan under the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and the first city-wide form-based code for a major town in Tennessee. His writings have been has been published in Practicing Planner and Planning.

To purchase individual issues of Zoning Practice

Send a check for $10 per issue to:

Zoning Practice Back Issues
American Planning Association
205 N Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601

Please include a list of the individual issues desired with your payment.