A Form Based Code is a combination of a Zoning Code and a set of Subdivision Regulations that enable communities, developers, planners and governments to build neighborhoods of character based on form.
Form Based Codes typically value the form (massing, scale, placement and architectural design) of buildings more than the uses residing within the buildings themselves. The precept of Form Based Codes is that comfortable, high quality public places (e.g. -street corridors, intersections, plazas, parks, etc.) are created by the buildings that form them. Form Based Codes are usually employed to encourage walkable, mixed use development in specified urban or suburban areas.
Communities like Form Based Codes because they require property owners, developers and governments to follow rules in the design and development of each property of an area that will result in the creation of an urbane environment - one where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Communities like Form based Codes because they encourage what the community views as preferable development - by both the public and private sector.
Developers like Form Based Codes because they ensure that property they do not control, but that is in the same area, will be designed and developed in a like-minded manner.
Developers like Form Based Codes because they can rely on a predictable, and usually shorter, entitlement process. Developers also like Form Based Codes because they require governments to design and build street corridors to specific standards of urban quality and scale.
