Form-Based Zoning

This article examines the 10 misconceptions that surround the discussion of form-based codes. The 10 misconceptions are:

1. Form-based code dictates architecture
2. Form-based code must be citywide
3. Form-based code is a template that you make a community conform to
4. Form-based code is too expensive
5. Form-based code is only for historic districts
6. Form-based code isn’t zoning and doesn’t address land use
7. Form-based code results in by right approval and eliminates helpful thinking by staff
8. Form-based code results in high-density residential
9. Form-based code requires mixed-use in every building regardless of context or viability
10. Form-based code can’t work with design guidelines and complicates staff review of projects

This article sees these misconceptions as a reason to the slowness of the acceptance from municipalities regarding form-based codes.