The City of Janesville is updating the land development code. This includes the following:

• Zoning Code
• Subdivision Ordinance
• Sign Ordinance

The City of Janesville is updating the Zoning Code and Subdivision Ordinance. These are local policies that determine how land can be built on and improved. Zoning is used to protect public safety, health, and welfare by ensuring that property is developed in a way that avoids negative impacts on its surroundings.

A zoning update can include changes to what can be built on private property, what land can be used for, how large or small structures can be, and what types of buildings can be built where.

A subdivision ordinance contains policies that regulate how property lines can be drawn on land. This includes how large a piece of land must be, how new streets are built on land, and how environmental features are protected when developing land.

The current zoning code is over 40 years old. Since then, changes in community, advancements in technology, and economic conditions have made the existing code less helpful for regulating development. The City is pursuing a new code that will be better at regulating development for today's world. The City also wants to improve the simplicity and ease of use of the current code.

A zoning code update has implications for all properties in the City. An update to the zoning code will not make existing properties "illegal," and only impacts properties that are being developed or redeveloped in the future. The standards for redeveloping your property or property in your neighborhood will be based on the updated ordinances once adopted. All property owners are encouraged to review the proposed changes to the ordinance to understand how it may impact future plans to redevelop their property.

The zoning ordinance is being updated to make it more easily understood, modernized, and responsive to current economic conditions. The update should make it easier for property owners to redevelop their property in the future and improve the quality of development in the community.

The City is looking to make changes to provide greater opportunity for the continued growth and success of the community in accord with the recently-updated City of Janesville Comprehensive Plan. Specific changes will be drafted between 2024 and 2025. Updates will be shared publicly as they become available at Plan Commission Meetings and the Public Open House #2 in Spring 2025. Community members are encouraged to review the City of Janesville Comprehensive Plan to review the vision the City has for an updated land development code.