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.
May 2024 Update
Check out the LDC Consolidated Draft! This is the first "complete" working version of the new LDC in a single document. This version allows you to look at zoning districts, allowed uses, development standards, and applicable procedures by navigating through the draft. Feel free to leave comments for any section of the draft.
What's next? The Steering Committee, Planning Staff, and consultant team will be reviewing and editing the LDC Consolidated Draft. Did you already provide comments on Module 1 or 2? We will be incorporating relevant comments suggested for Modules 1 and 2, and meeting with the community to hear your thoughts. In-person feedback opportunities are being scheduled for May 15-18, watch for the schedule on the Events page
Read the Latest Draft
View the Module 2 Info Sheets
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
What's in the Code?
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 -June 2024
- Adoption Draft (Consolidated)
- Final Land Development Code
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
Opportunities for Input
Thanks to everyone who submitted their opinions for the Development Review Procedures (Applicant) Survey in March! The feedback received in the survey will be used to inform Module 3 - Administration and Procedures, coming out in late Spring 2024.
Upcoming Events
Stay tuned for details and mark your calendars for upcoming outreach on May 15-18, 2024, and more dates in June 2024. The full draft of the Draft LDC Consolidated draft is out now and we want to hear from you!