Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America

Library of Codes

FBCI gathers the best examples of form-based codes from communities across the United States and abroad. The codes represent a variety of community types and applications of form-based standards. Click on the Show Search Options button to search the library by phrase, location, Driehaus Award recipients, and the categories described below.

  • Physical Context: size or type of government entity
  • Organizing Principle: underlying organization for the code standards
  • Implementation Method: how the code standards operate within the zoning ordinance
  • Development Type: development types impacted by the code standards
  • Special Features: unique code attributes or awards

Search Options

Hold down the CTRL key to select multiple states, regions, countries, or Driehaus Award years. When multiple options are selected an OR operator is used within each category and an AND operator between different categories.

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The Beaufort Code

**Driehaus Award Recipient**

This code provides a high-quality model for a small, historic, design-driven city. It demonstrates an exemplary bifurcation between form-based districts and conventional zones and is well organized and user friendly. City staff took…more

Objective Design and Development Standards

FBCI Award_2022_Opticos_Objective Design and Development Standards **Driehaus Award Recipient**

This model code for Marin County, CA exemplifies the differentiating strengths of form-based codes: clear guidance for better design outcomes and predictable, fair, and timely review processes. While conventional codes coupled with onerous…more

The Denver Commons Code

Denver Seal **Driehaus Award Recipient**

The City of Denver’s Riverfront Commons Form-Based Code is a national model for a groundbreaking early form-based code with excellent built results. The visioning and intent statement were so fine they made a…more

Hartford Zoning Code

**Driehaus Award Recipient**

This code serves as a comprehensive and concise model for citywide form-based standards. The approach to building types creates a rich variety of urbanism and appropriately addresses both the private and public realm.…more

Central Hercules Regulating Code

Hercules

Located on San Pablo Bay 16 miles east of San Francisco, Hercules began as a company town for the Hercules Powder Company. Once a thriving industrial town, Hercules had begun to struggle with…more

Code Documents

Downtown Code for Nashville, Tennessee

**Driehaus Award Recipient**

This Code offers an exceptional model for downtowns.  The jury was impressed with the immersive characterization of each downtown neighborhood, with detailed attention to the features that create these distinct places.  The overall…more

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