In addition to supporting local decisions about the location of growth, the state will also supply guidance on best local land use practices for protecting clean water wherever the expansion of developed areas occurs, and for reducing impacts to clean water in redevelopment situations.

This includes chapters with guidance for a range of best practices, example ordinances and resolutions for local communities, and training opportunities for local government elected officials and staff. Chapters have been prepared for Comprehensive Planning, Compact Development, Conservation Development, Stream, Floodplain, and Wetland Protection, Storm Water Management/Erosion and Sediment Control, Natural Areas Establishment and Management, Source Water Protection, Tree and Woodland Protection, Steep Slope Protection, Brownfield Redevelopment, Agricultural Protection, Transfer of Development Rights, Historic Protection, Scenic Protection, and Access Management. 

	An updated suite of Best Local Land Use Practice recommendations is available in 2012.Click here.
	We co-sponsored a land use planning conference with Ohio State University Extension on January 11, 2013. Click here to go to the conference page. Continue the discussion: regional information sessions coming to a location near you in April. Click here.

Download the Best Local Land Use Practices (2004) here (pdf). The toolkit and model ordinances from the 2004 document are 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 updated program videos on the OhioLakeErie channel at YouTube or watch the Lake Erie version of the video on this site where local officials and others explain how the practices have helped their communities.