Is your community interested in zoning reform?

Not sure where to start?

Today, communities across the country are using form-based codes to enable vibrant, mixed-use, walkable development. That’s because form-based codes focus on how the streets, buildings, and open spaces work together to create great places instead of focusing on what's happening inside the building.

Sponsor a class on form-based codes

The Form-Based Codes Institute (FBCI) at Smart Growth America is looking for communities to sponsor their highly-regarded classes on form-based codes.

Education is a crucial first step for communities grappling with outdated zoning codes. FBCI classes are great way to bring city staff and community leaders up to speed on this increasingly popular option for zoning that provides the regulatory framework for smart growth development. Our expert instructors engage participants at all levels, provide professional accreditation, and build a comprehensive understanding of what’s wrong with current regulations and how form-based codes can be a remedy.

Here’s what a former class sponsor has to say about their experience with FBCI classes:

"Few understood the possibilities of a form-based code when the City of Las Vegas revised its downtown vision two years ago. There was hesitation and misunderstanding in the face of much-needed change. FBCI’s knowledgeable instructors walked residents and elected officials through the basics of of form-based codes and the more advanced classes exposed practitioners to the intricacies of drafting and execution. The curriculum is tremendously effective for building community buy-in, administrative capacity, and overall competence of our new form-based code."
– Mike Howe, City of Las Vegas Planning Section Manager, Urban Design Coordinator

If you're interested in sponsoring a class in your community, email Form-Based Codes Institute Director Marta Goldsmith to begin the conversation.

Learn more about form-based codes and why they are an increasingly popular alternative to conventional zoning.