We know that reading through zoning code can be challenging - the content is technical and includes a lot of legal terms. This short guide includes tips on finding the information most important to you and your neighborhood. Please reach out to planning staff with questions.
How to Read Module 2
Helpful Tips
- Keep the Table of Contents handy – it guides you to the content of each section.
- Read section-by-section – starting with the one that interests you the most. This is an easier approach than trying to read it from beginning to end because of its length and technical nature.
- Within the section – find the table or subsection that establishes the basic rules associated with the topic first.
- If you are interested in a particular zoning district – like the one where you live or work – focus on the subsections (if any) addressing that zoning district.
- If something seems strange – review the footnotes to see if it is new content or old content that has been reworded or reorganized.
- If you have looked and cannot find what section of Module 2 addresses a topic important to you – contact staff and they will help you locate it.
Common Questions
Use the reference letters to see where that question is addressed in the table of contents.
| Reference letter | Question? | Section | Page |
| a. | Where is the information about how a development should look? | 11-04-03 – Lot and Building Forms and Dimensions | 163 |
| b. | What are the basic rules for how tall, how big, and how dense a development can be? | 11-04-03.2 – Dimensional Standards Summary Tables | 166 |
| c. | What are the rules to protect small homes from tall buildings? | 11-04-03.4 – Neighborhood Protection Standards | 180 |
| d. | Where are the rules for parking? | 11-04-07 – Parking and Loading | 228 |
| e. | What are the rules for how much parking must be provided, what is the maximum and minimum? | 11-04-07.4 – Minimum and Maximum Off-Street Parking Standards | 231 |
| f. | Can parking requirements be changed? | 11-04-07.5 – Parking Adjustments | 239 |
Module 2 - Table of Contents
11-04 Development and Design Standards
11-04-01 – Purpose
11-04-02 – Applicability
a. 11-04-03 – Lot and Building Forms and Dimensions
11-04-03 1 – General (mostly boilerplate)
b. 11-04-03.2 – Dimensional Standards Summary Tables
- Residential Districts
- Mixed-Use and Special Purpose Districts
11-04-03.3 – Substandard Original Lots of Record (special case carried forward)
c. 11-04-03.4 – Neighborhood Protection Standards
11-04-03.5 – Other Form Standards
- Applicable to specific zone districts
- Applicable to specific uses
11-04-03.6 – Exceptions & Encroachments
11-04-03.7 – Incentives
11-04-04 – Subdivision Standards
11-04-05 – Sensitive Lands
11-04-06 – Access and Connectivity
d. 11-04-07 – Parking and Loading
11-04-07.1 – General (mostly boilerplate)
11-04-07.2 – Applicability
11-04-07.3 – General Parking Standards
e. 11-04-07.4 – Minimum and Maximum Off-Street Parking Standards
f. 11-04-07.5 – Parking Adjustments
11-04-07.6 – Vehicle Parking Location and Design
11-04-07.7 – Required Bicycle Parking
11-04.07.8 – Drive-through Facilities and Vehicle Stacking Areas
11-04.07.9 – Off-Street Loading Facilities
11-04.07.10 – Compliance with Design Standards
11-04-08 – Landscaping, Fencing, Walls, and Screening
11-04-09 – Building Design
11-04-10 – Exterior Lighting
11-04-11 – Signs
11-04-12 – Operations and Maintenance
About how big is that?
Use these benchmarks to help with your reading of the dimensional table:
Football Field = 1.32 Acres, 4 Lots Per Acre, 10 Lots Per Acre and 21 Lots Per Acre
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