- Beyond Sustainability - The Case for Regenerative Design
- Understanding Place - Climate, Site, and Solar Geometry
- The Six Integrated Systems - An Overview
- Building with the Earth—Natural Materials
- Passive Solar Design - Heating and Cooling Without Machines
- Off-Grid Energy Systems - Power from the Sun
- Water - Catching, Storing, and Cycling
- Liquid Waste Treatment - Botanical Systems
- Food Systems—Buildings That Feed
- Community Design - Scaling Up
- The Integrated Design Process
- Appendix A: Glossary of Key Terms
- Appendix B: The Pangea Textbook Series
- Appendix C: Key Design Principles at a Glance
- The Regenerative Community Vision
- Site Assessment and Land Reading
- Land Use Law and Legal Frameworks
- Master Planning for Regenerative Communities
- Infrastructure Systems Integration
- Housing Typologies and Density Design
- Community Governance Structures
- Economic Models for Community Development
- Phased Development Strategy
- Community Resilience and Long-Term Stewardship
- Appendix A: Legal Entity Comparison Chart
- Appendix B: Community Design Checklist
- Appendix C: Glossary of Community Development Terms
Zoning codes govern land use by dividing a jurisdiction into zones with specific permitted uses, development standards, and approval requirements. For community development, the key questions are: What zone is the land in? What uses are permitted by right (without discretionary approval)? What uses require a conditional use permit or variance? What are the minimum lot size, setback, and density requirements?
In rural New Mexico and many other states, large tracts of unincorporated land are zoned for agricultural use with very permissive building standards — a reflection of the state’s historic ranching culture. This can make rural community development relatively straightforward from a zoning perspective, though water rights, septic approval, and access road standards often create regulatory requirements that must be navigated.
Urban and suburban sites present more complex zoning environments. Mixed-use or planned unit development (PUD) zoning designations may allow the density and variety of uses needed for regenerative communities. In some jurisdictions, community land trusts, cohousing projects, and intentional communities have successfully negotiated custom zoning approvals or worked within flexible planned community provisions.
Key Zoning Terms for Community Developers
By-right use: A use permitted in a zone without discretionary approval — just building permit review.
Conditional use permit (CUP): A use permitted in a zone but requiring planning commission review and conditions of approval.
Variance: An exception to a specific zoning standard, requiring demonstration of hardship.
Planned Unit Development (PUD): A process allowing custom zoning for larger developments in exchange for public benefits.
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU): A secondary dwelling on a residential lot — increasingly permitted in many jurisdictions.
Agricultural exemption: Many states exempt agricultural buildings from building permit requirements — can allow significant infrastructure with minimal permitting.