Form-based code

Form Based Codes

Form based codes place an emphasis more on the design and aesthetic aspects of a development rather than the usage, as can be found in euclidian or "traditional" zoning practices.

They define the physical character of towns and leave the decision of "what use" for the buildings up to the market. Proponents of form based codes see euclidian zoning as antiquated and inefficient. By allowing the market to decide what goes where, there is less chance of abandonment due to the highest and best use for the property being outside of the zoning parameters. FBC's tend still tend to decide what type of development goes where, as a building placed close to the street with a sidewalk, small 1st floor rooms that are 3 times as deep as they are long with large front windows would be conducive to a commercial development with residential/office on the higher floors.

Form based codes have been adopted through retrofitting the euclidian method of zoning. Instead of zoning an area "C-1", certain areas in a municipality have been zoned "FBC"- Form Based Codes. These areas are then designated further by the form they wish to adhere to. An important example of thise type of retrofitting would be Columbia Pike, in Arlington County, MD.

For More Information,

"Form-Based Codes: A Cure for the Cancer Called Euclidean Zoning? Jason T. Burdette"