An Argument for Pairing By-Right Zoning With Form-Based Codes

"By-Right Zoning is getting a lot of buzz these days as a needed tool to help solve the affordable housing crisis many communities are facing," according to a post by Karen Parolek.

Parolek is writing for the blog of planning and urban design firm Opticos Design, Inc., making it clear that the firm supports by-right zoning when it's done right. The key impediment to making by-right zoning work, according to Parolek, is conventional zoning. To get by-right zoning to work, writes Parolek, "conventional zoning codes need to be updated to [form-based codes] to effectively prescribe the outcome desired by the community, enabling communities to confidently let go of discretionary review. FBCs with By-Right Zoning contribute to housing affordability, ensure that development meets the community’s vision, and help to provide housing options for everyone who wants to live in a walkable neighborhood."