Plans and Ordinances

Town, city, and county "master" or "comprehensive" plans provide communities with an overall vision for their land use future. Zoning ordinances are the implementation tool for these plans and outline the kinds of land uses permitted, the densities of residential land and the scope of commercial and industrial land use allowed.

"Subdivision ordinances" dictate how far buildings need to be set back from streets and the width of streets and sidewalks. Many of these ordinances and plans contain outdated standards that result in sprawl.

Large-lot zoning ordinances promote sprawl because houses are far from shops and community centers and roads are often wider than they need to be.

Local plans and ordinances need to 1) encourage mixed residential and commercial growth in a central district and 2) prevent sprawl development from occurring in open spaces. Urban growth boundaries can be used to lessen the occurance of sprawl by creating distinct boundaries between town centers and the open space surrounding them.

Read more about other solutions to sprawl.

Read more about other Land Use solutions.

Read about New Urbanism, planning that promotes Smart Growth.

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