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Home > Strategies > Zoning and Form-Based Codes
Zoning and Form-Based Codes2021-10-26T12:49:00-04:00

Zoning refers to municipal laws or regulations that dictate how a property can be used.

For small businesses in gentrifying neighborhoods, zoning can help to retain space for businesses, protect community-serving retail, limit the size and type of stores, and create and maintain affordable commercial space. Form-based codes offer a powerful alternative to conventional zoning. Using design concepts and patterns that preserve the character of a community, they focus on a property’s built form and its relationship to streetscape and adjacent uses.

Policy tools include:

Store Size Caps

Limits on the physical size of businesses either for an entire city or for designated areas.

Neighborhood Serving Zones

Zones that aim to sustain small, neighborhood businesses by limiting the size and type of stores in certain districts.

Formula Business Ordinance

Ordinances that prohibit or limit formula businesses or retail chains.

Affordable Workplace Policy

Policies requiring developments to provide some “affordable workspace” to be given at a discounted rent to small businesses.

Streamline Permitting

Processes aimed at eliminating municipal barriers to new commercial and small business construction and redevelopment.

Strategies in Action

Additional Resources

Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Store Size Cap Toolkit

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