How Climate-Informed Zoning Works
Zoning is the main way that cities can control where development occurs and what this development looks like. A city’s zoning code regulates the built environment, outlining allowed building uses, densities, sizes, and other associated characteristics. As a result, incorporating climate considerations into the zoning code can help cities ensure that their communities are climate-ready. Climate-informed zoning considers the effects of climate change in the way it guides future development, such as by restricting buildings in areas vulnerable to sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, or other climate hazards.
