About the Project

The City of Lawrence recently launched an effort to overhaul its Land Development Code (LDC). The LDC is the set of regulations that guide how development should occur in our community. It is also one of the primary tools used to implement Plan 2040—the comprehensive plan for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County—and the Lawrence Strategic Plan.

Overarching goals for the LDC update include:

  • Establishing a simpler and more consistent set of development procedures
  • Identifying opportunities to achieve City goals related to climate change, sustainability, housing, economic development, and other community priorities           
  • Making the LDC more user-friendly, searchable, and easy to understand
  • Creating more predictable development outcomes

The LDC update is being managed by a project team comprised of City staff from the Department of Planning and Development Services and City Communications and Creative Resources Division, with support from Clarion Associates, a national land-use consulting firm.

Project Updates

January 2024 Update

Read the latest draft considered by the City Commission 

LDC Adoption Draft Nov 2024

View the Housing Standards Handout

This handout details some of the most important edits to residential standards that were addressed in later handouts in later drafts of the LDC, based on the feedback received from the Lawrence community.

View Housing Handout

Learn More About the LDC 

Learn more about the priority issues identified by the City of Lawrence and the effort to overhaul the City's Land Development Code.

Equity & Inclusion

 

Process Overview

The LDC update will take approximately two years to complete. Major milestones in the process are illustrated below.

Phase 1: Project Orientation

June-August 2022

  • Project Orientation
  • Project Kick-off Meetings

 

 

Phase 2: Code Assessment

September 2022 -January 2023

  • Code Assessment

Phase 3: Draft LDC      (3 Modules)

February 2023 - March 2024

  • Districts & Uses
  • Development Standards
  • Administration & Procedures

Phase 4: LDC Full Draft & Adoption

March -July 2024

  • Adoption Draft (Consolidated)
  • Final Land Development Code

Get Involved!

The LDC update is a major undertaking that will require input from and collaboration among a wide range of community interests. The entire community is invited to participate. Sign up to receive e-mail updates about the LDC update process. Select the “Planning & Development News” list.

Questions or comments may be directed to DevelopmentCodeUpdate@lawrenceks.org