How to Make a Zoning Atlas 2.0: The Official Methodology of the National Zoning Atlas

161 Pages Posted: 22 Jun 2023 Last revised: 26 Apr 2024

See all articles by Sara C. Bronin

Sara C. Bronin

Cornell University - College of Architecture, Art & Planning; Cornell University - Law School

Scott Markley

Cornell University - Department of City & Regional Planning

Aline Fader

Independent

Evan Derickson

Independent

Date Written: June 13, 2023

Abstract

Zoning laws, adopted by upwards of 30,000 local governments across the country, are important. Because they dictate virtually everything that gets built in the United States, they have tremendous impact on our economy, environment, society, and even health. But no one — not even experts — knows enough about what they actually say because they are so decentralized, inconsistent, and convoluted.

We’re building the National Zoning Atlas to unlock zoning’s black box by centralizing, standardizing, and making accessible information about zoning. We believe if people understand zoning, they will be empowered to improve it. We think enabling apples-to-apples comparisons of cities and towns will promote understanding of regional and statewide trends. We hope that information about zoning will strengthen planning for housing production, transportation infrastructure, food security, and climate response.

This methodology, How to Make a Zoning Atlas 2.0, outlines the process by which the National Zoning Atlas is built. The process has two workflows – one involving analysis of zoning texts, the other involving analysis of zoning maps – the products of which are merged and published to our online, interactive map. This methodology tracks both workflows, giving zoning code and geospatial analysts instructions on how to collect, translate, and standardize zoning regulatory and geospatial information. It focuses on individual zoning districts, each of which distinctively regulates allowed uses, structures, and lots.

With that background in mind, we can proceed to the detailed instructions.

Part II explains how to structure geography-specific teams, use the Editor workspace, identify jurisdictions, find and upload jurisdictional files, and establish a division of labor. We strongly suggest that the full team work together to complete this Part before proceeding with later Parts.

Part III turns to the building blocks of any zoning atlas: zoning districts. For reasons explained below, the seemingly simple task of listing zoning districts is harder than it appears. The whole project team (including the geospatial analysts) should engage in the work of this Part.

Part IV tells zoning code analysts how to classify districts and analyze the regulation of uses, lots, and structures. It also explains how team leaders can create custom fields and finalize data entry.

Part V tells geospatial analysts how to prepare and upload geospatial data for both jurisdictions and zoning districts.

Part VI concludes with final publication instructions.

Keywords: Zoning, land use, districts, regulation, codes, regulatory analysis, atlas, principal use, accessory dwelling, minimum lot, parking

Suggested Citation

Bronin, Sara C. and Markley, Scott and Fader, Aline and Derickson, Evan, How to Make a Zoning Atlas 2.0: The Official Methodology of the National Zoning Atlas (June 13, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4476927 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4476927

Sara C. Bronin (Contact Author)

Cornell University - College of Architecture, Art & Planning ( email )

Ithaca, NY
United States

Cornell University - Law School

Myron Taylor Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-4901
United States

Scott Markley

Cornell University - Department of City & Regional Planning ( email )

Ithaca, NY 14853
United States

Aline Fader

Independent

Evan Derickson

Independent

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,246
Abstract Views
3,899
Rank
34,315
PlumX Metrics