Table of Contents

Active Transportation

The county’s code of ordinances requires that all new streets follow a grid pattern, excepting topographic strictures. (§27-5.3.2). It also requires pedestrian and cycling facility right of ways.

Form-Based Zoning

The county’s code of ordinances includes a mapped mandatory form-based overlay district (§27-3.22). This district includes the permissible land uses, form standards, building frontage types, façade design standards, parking standards, and landscaping standards.

Solar Energy

The county's code of ordinances encourages solar orientation principles for all buildings (§7-52.b.2.Q).

Tree Preservation and the Urban Forest 

The county’s code of ordinances includes tree protection standards that establish tree preservation, planting, and maintenance requirements for public and private property (§14-39). These standards address exemptions, definitions, procedures, tree preservation and replacement, buffers, parking lot landscaping, street trees, maintenance, alternative compliance, tree harvesting, utility work, and enforcement.

Zoning Reform and Code Writing

The county's code of ordinances adopted a new zoning code in 2015 (Chapter 27). It includes a mix of use-based and form-based zoning standards. It defines and regulates uses based on broad categories, with select specific use types, and includes use-specific standards to minimize reliance on discretionary use permits. It is richly illustrated and uses tables to organize use permissions and dimensional standards.

Its purpose statements address guiding growth and development in accordance with the local comprehensive plan; protecting established character; promoting wise land use; providing for adequate light, air, convenience of access, and safety from fire, flood, and other dangers; reducing traffic congestion; facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community; encouraging an aesthetically attractive environment; expediting the provision of adequate public facilities; protecting historic areas; protect against overcrowding; encouraging economic development; preserving natural and archeological resources; complying with all applicable state and federal regulations; protecting airport takeoff and landing paths; promoting housing for all income groups and citizens; implementing the authority, powers, and duties of the planning commission and the zoning board of appeals; reducing the secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses; and protecting constitutional rights (§27.1.13).