Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
SUBJECTS › PLANNING › Major Programs to Overhaul Regulatory Systems for Added Flexibility
Published 01/07

Major Programs to Overhaul Regulatory Systems for Added Flexibility

Some local jurisdictions have considered adoption of major new programs/regulatory schemes to incorporate greater flexibility and fairness into codes. Examples of major programs include transfer of development rights programs, performance-based zoning, and form-based codes.

Contents

Transfer of Development Rights

Transfer of development rights (TDR) programs may be used to restrict development on certain parcels, while allowing the owner of the restricted property to transfer development rights to another property. Ideally, this ability to sell or use development rights on another property at least partially compensates the property owner for the development rights removed from the restricted property. As a result, TDR programs serve both to protect resources while encouraging development in more appropriate areas. The TDR technique is a complex mechanism to implement. A viable market for development rights must exist before significant transfers will occur. Only a few programs across the U.S. have succeeded in implementing wide-scale protection of farmlands, environmentally sensitive areas or other resources through a TDR program. However, a larger number of programs have provided additional options and at least partial compensation for property owners in areas where development is being restricted by local regulations. TDR programs are commonly used to preserve agricultural lands but may also apply to open space preservation, critical areas protection, historic sites, and affordable housing.

General Information - Transfer of Development Rights

Washington Programs

Snohomish County

King County (farmland emphasis)

Other Counties

Cities

Out-of-State Examples

Some out-of-state jurisdictions have reasonably successful programs:

Onsite Density Transfer for Critical Areas

Many Washington communities have adopted provisions that allow density to be transferred from a constrained portion of a site to an unconstrained area on the same site. Such density transfers achieve protection of critical areas while permitting the property owner to retain some or all development rights. These provisions generally include some criteria to assure that density in receiving area doesn't exceed what that area can accommodate. Some use a sliding scale that relates how much density may be transferred, depending on the percentage of the site that is constrained.

Performance Zoning

Performance zoning systems establish standards and criteria to control or limit the impacts of proposed uses or activities on neighboring properties. For instance, performance standards may limit the noise, glare or traffic impacts that an activity or use generates and that will be felt beyond the property boundary. Performance zoning is generally flexible about where development is located as long as the impact of the development is kept within specified acceptable limits. In contrast, traditional zoning has focused on establishing zones and separating different uses by zone (assuming that very different uses, such as residential and industrial uses, are incompatible). Traditional zoning standards such as height, bulk, lot size, density, intensity, and setback standards typically vary depending on the type of zone.

The use of performance zoning as an overall framework for local zoning appears to be declining, although many of the types of performance standards associated with performance zoning are increasingly being incorporated into zoning codes. Performance-based zoning, is still practiced in a few communities such as Breckenridge, CO. Several communities that were known for their performance zoning, such as Ft. Collins, CO, Largo, FL and Hardin County, KY have moved away from a "pure" form of performance zoning approach to a hybrid approach. These hybrid approaches establish at least some zones, combined with use of performance standards to address compatibility concerns. The zones under these hybrid systems often allow a greater mixing of uses than under traditional zoning codes. At the same time, the codes also make ample use of performance standards to limit undesirable impacts of the uses/activities. For instance, bed and breakfast lodge or accessory dwelling unit may be a permitted use in a commercial, residential or other type zone, if certain compatibility standards are met. The hybrid systems may allow greater flexibility than traditional zoning, while maintaining some of the predictability and simpler administration of prescriptive codes. A hybrid system also may better channel uses to where they are needed, such as neighborhood-serving commercial uses.

We are not aware of any Washington communities that have "pure" performance zoning codes. Most Washington communities still use districts and prescriptive standards such as setbacks or landscaped buffers to separate land uses that may be incompatible. At the same time, many Washington communities also incorporate some performance standards for different types of uses into their zoning codes. Perhaps the most common use of performance standards by Washington communities is in the form of environmental performance standards such as noise, glare, odors, or water contaminants. In addition, standards may be specified for certain uses to make them compatible in a wider variety of zones. By specifying performance standards for specific uses, it is often possible to employ a more streamlined review procedure, although that may depend on the specific use. Such characteristics also distinguish performance standards from conditional use standards that are not specified in advance and generally require public hearing review.

General Information - Performance Zoning

Examples of Performance Standards in Washington

The following are links to zoning codes from Washington jurisdictions that include some performance standards:

Examples - Environmental Performance Standards

Performance Zoning in Other States

Performance Standards Examples - Other States

Form-Based Codes

Form-based codes have emerged as an alternative approach for regulating land development. Conventional zoning codes emphasize segregating land use types into different zones and controlling the intensity of development within each zone through use of minimum or maximum standards. Different land use types are separated to assure compatibility and to assure that adequate area is provided for different uses. In contrast, form-based codes focus on specifying the physical form of development and public spaces that the community wants. They encourage a physical form that matches the community's vision at the community, block and building scale. Form-based codes emphasize regulating physical design, while de-emphasizing regulation of land uses. For instance, conventional zoning codes typically set a limit on the minimum distance that a building must be setback from the street and neighboring property lines. In contrast, a form-based code may specify a "build-to" line that new buildings must align with to fit community patterns. As a result, form-based codes tend to be more flexible regarding what uses are permitted in a particular location, but are prescriptive about the form and appearance of development. Traditional neighborhood developments are one type of form-based code, based on traditional town patterns.

General Information - Form-Based Codes

Code Examples