Land Use/Zoning Code

Lafayette is Rewriting its Land Use Code

The City of Lafayette is rewriting its land use code (also referred to as zoning) for the first time in nearly 40 years. The new code will be based on the community's vision for the future, as outlined in the 2021 Legacy Lafayette Comprehensive Plan. Many of the policies and strategies of the plan are best implemented through an overhaul of the City’s development regulations.

The first code was adopted in 1967 and has been amended several times since then (with the last overhaul in 1986.) Because our code no longer aligns with the community's goals or latest planning practices, the rewrite process is now underway, with the goal of adopting the new code in 2024. The new code help ensures that new development is consistent with the community's vision and meets the needs of residents and businesses.

What is a Land Use Code?

A land use code is a set of regulations that govern how land can be used in a city. They are also known as a zoning code. These codes are based on a community vision for the future and are intended to encourage orderly development (typically on private property) and aid in the creation of livable, vibrant communities. A code typically includes regulations like the use, height, and location of buildings, and the location of roads, parks, and other facilities.

What is a Form-Based Code?

A form-based code is a type of land use regulation that focuses on the physical form and context of development, like the size, shape, and placement of buildings. Form-based codes are particularly effective at promoting walkable, mixed-use communities where people can live, work, and shop within a reasonable walking distance. Form-based codes are an alternative to conventional use-based regulations, which divide a city into different types of uses, prohibiting or encouraging residential, commercial, industrial, or other developments. The use-based approach to zoning often contributes to long distances between residential uses and desired services, which has exacerbated issues like traffic congestion and suburban sprawl. Lafayette currently has use-based regulations in place. However, the city is exploring ways to incorporate form-based elements alongside use-based regulations (i.e., a hybrid code).

How can I get involved?

Map it!
Check out the map below to share specific areas you love or areas that need some love. Be sure to leave a comment so we understand why.

Walking Tours
Enjoy the warming weather while partnering with city planners to organize a walking tour in your neighborhood! You know your neighborhood best and what better way to share beloved areas (or spots for improvement) than while on a stroll.

Attend a Working Group Meeting
The City formed a working group to monitor and provide input to staff on draft code language and community engagement strategies. The group consists of the Planning Commission, representatives from City boards, and residents with varying backgrounds and interests. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. during the second Wednesday of the month, every 1 - 3 months. Meeting dates will be added in the upcoming dates list on the right side of this page.

Lafayette is Rewriting its Land Use Code

What is a Land Use Code?

What is a Form-Based Code?

How can I get involved?

Map it!
Check out the map below to share specific areas you love or areas that need some love. Be sure to leave a comment so we understand why.

What do a Park, a Snowmobile, and an Activity Center Have in Common? The Answer May Surprise You.

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Imagine a scenario where you are miles from the nearest road, the sun is beginning to set, and your only ride home is a stuck snowmobile. Who or what could have led to this debacle (aside from bad judgment)? The possible answer is an obscure city planning term: a neighborhood activity center.
What exactly is an "activity center"?
Think of it as any place you go when you’re not at home. These centers can vary in size and purpose, ranging from a neighborhood-scale establishment like a park or coffee shop, to larger regional or even international venues like Disney World. Some common local examples of activity centers include:
- Parks, open spaces, places of worship, and public spaces like Festival Plaza in Old Town
- Stores and restaurants
- Job centers, from offices to the medical complex
- Institutional places like schools and City Hall
However, there are other places that may not officially be considered activity centers but still serve the role of bringing people together. Maybe it’s an intersection with a small grassy field. Perhaps it’s a park or even an alley where neighborhood kids play. We’re interested in learning more about these places here in Lafayette.
How a neighborhood park led to a stuck snowmobile
Our family frequently visits a neighborhood park affectionately known as the “castle park”. It’s a small, typical park that is rarely crowded. One day while at the park I noticed another dad with children about the same age as ours. We struck up a conversation and ended up exchanging contact information with the intention of grabbing lunch sometime. This dad had similar interactions with a handful of other dads and proposed that we all meet up – sort of a “blind playdate”. We met for burgers and fries one Friday evening and agreed that we should continue meeting.
Over the past year, we have been meeting each month at different restaurants, and our group has steadily grown. The most recent addition to our castle park crew is an immigrant from Russia who lived a mere 45 minutes from the current war. As a result, our June 2023 gathering involved a crash course in Russian translations and some surprising cultural comparisons (apparently, fried pickles are not a thing in Russia.)
One dad suggested that we take our group to the next level by planning a kid-free, all-dad snowmobiling weekend. We turned that dream into a reality this past winter and it turned out to be quite the adventure (and yes, we eventually got the snowmobile unstuck!)
That initial interaction at the park created a ripple effect, connecting neighbors who might not have otherwise met. I don’t know how this would have happened without a walkable and convenient place for people to meet and interact, like a small, unassuming park.
Our ask: Tell us about your activity center
We’d like to know about your activity centers. Whether it’s a local park, community center, intersection, or shopping area, mark it on the map (see tab to the right). This information will be helpful as we begin crafting land use regulations, especially those related to these public spaces.