Option

Adopt hazard overlay zones and district-based development regulations

Details

Focus of action
Land Use Practice
Option

Adopt hazard overlay zones and district-based development regulations

Focus of action
Land Use Practice

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

Option from plan Hazards Sort descending Assets Region Source Plan
Create overlay districts with that require specific erosion control measures. Erosion and Shoreline Recession Property National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 27)
Require the use of Open Space Residential Design or Conservation Subdivision regulations for any residential subdivision. Extreme HeatFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyProperty Northwest Washington Coast Resilience Action Demonstration Project
Implement an overlay zone for coastal resilience. The zone could accommodate marsh migration, include coastal setbacks and protect against future storm surge on private property. Flooding – Coastal Multiple or All AssetsProperty Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 185)
Use overlay zones to promote watershed-based development ordinances. Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Property Southeast Miami Forever Climate Ready Strategy
Use overlay zones in your land use regulations to encourage or require safer development in the areas most at risk from climate change impacts. High WindsLandslidesMultiple or All HazardsWildfireErosion and Shoreline RecessionExtreme HeatFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General Multiple or All Assets Southwest Statewide Summary Report: California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment
Regulate new development and substantial rehabilitation in the Wildfire Lands Overlay part of the urban growth boundary Wildfire Property Northwest Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan (p. 67)
Regulate new development and mitigate old construction in wildfire hazard areas, especially in the urban growth boundary. Wildfire Property NorthwestNational Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan
HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 67)
Consider zoning changes or special wildfire overlay districts to designate areas at high risk of wildfire. Wildfire Multiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 19)