In addition to supporting local decisions about the location of growth, the state will also supply guidance on best local land use practices for minimizing development impacts on water quality wherever the expansion of developed areas occurs, and for reducing impacts to water quality in redevelopment situations. This includes a set of model zoning ordinances and resolutions recommended for voluntary adoption by local communities, a set of guidance documents for a range of additional best practices, and training opportunities for local government elected officials and staff. Model ordinances are provided for storm water and aquatic area protection and meadow protection. Guidance documents have been prepared for Conservation Development, Compact Development, Source Water Protection, Agricultural Lands Protection, Tree and Woodland Protection, Scenic Protection, Historic Preservation, Steep Slopes Protection, Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), Brownfields Redevelopment, and Access Management. 

Download the Best Local Land Use Practices document here. (pdf)

The toolkit and model ordinances from the document are also available on the Toolkit page.

If you are a local government official or staff member interested in bringing Best Practices to your community, see our Technical Assistance page for information on how you may qualify for free assistance.

The training program, previously focused on the Lake Erie watershed, will be expanded statewide and is not limited to communities with Watershed Planning Partnerships. See the Workshops page for more details on the training program.

Not sure if the Best Local Land Use Practices could work in your community? Watch the video where local officials and others explain how the practices have helped their communities.