Kingston, New York Goes 100 Percent Form-Based for its New Code

Kingston recently adopted a form-based code, taking the rare step to entirely replace its old zoning code with form-based standards while also repealing parking requirements and allowing accessory dwelling units and missing middle housing.

2 minute read

August 16, 2023, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A sign announces the Kingston, New York Historic District

Alexander / Adobe Stock

The city of Kingston, New York, located north of New York City along the Hudson River, adopted a new form-based code earlier this month. According to local news reports, the form-based code is intended to mitigate the growing cost of housing in the city by allowing accessory dwelling units and new opportunities for infill development.

According to an article by Phillip Pantuso, Kingston’s new code is notable for replacing its entire zoning code with a new form-based code—most cities who have applied form-based codes do so only in certain nieghborhoods or along specific streets.

“The new zoning code was developed over a three-year period with the consulting firm Dover, Kohl & Partners and included regular community input organized in part by the local advocacy group Kingston Code Reform Advocates,” reports Pantuso.

Among the changes accomplished by Kingston’s new form-based zoning code are the end of minimum parking requirements, the legalization of missing middle housing, corner stores, and accessory dwelling units, and a new, “streamlined” development approval process.

Here is how Pantuso describes form-based codes:

Form-based codes address the relationship between building facades and public space, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks, according to the Form-Based Codes Institute, a nonprofit focused on creating healthy communities. The goal is to emphasize creating cohesive and visually appealing communities that promote walkability and mixed-use development.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in Times Union

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

6 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today