• Form-Based Codes: Only jurisdictions in the United States are eligible. All submission materials must be in English.
• There is no entry fee to participate in the SGA Center for Zoning Solutions Awards.
• Eligible applicants: State and local governments, planners, consultants, developers, municipal leaders, universities/planning schools, past CZS partners and technical assistance communities, Congress for the New Urbanism chapters, American Planning Association chapters, state housing agencies, regional planning organizations / MPOs, government agencies (including US territories), non-profit community-based organizations.
• Permissions/Nominations: If applying on behalf of an organization, ensure that you have permission from the organization before submitting. Organizations/Practitioners may also submit an application with the support of local government partners.
• One Submission Per Applicant: You can apply for only one award and submit the form only once. After submitting, applications cannot be modified
• Planning to apply: Plan ahead of the deadline to start compiling materials to complete the application. See the "How to prepare for submission” section below to know what to expect.
• Application Process: Follow these steps to apply -
  • Open “Click here to submit your entry for the Center for Zoning Solutions’ Awards” link Select the award you are applying for (zoning innovation, zoning advocacy, form-based code)
  • Answer all the questions
  • Click “Submit”
  • Click “Submit” again on the page that appears if you are prompted to.
  • You will have the option to receive a copy of your submission.

General criteria (applies to all three categories)

• Completeness of application.
• Ability to demonstrate results from form-based code/innovation/advocacy.

Zoning Advocacy

Nominees have made documented contributions in the following areas:

• Has proven and successful advocacy outcomes with national, state or local-level /or advocacy initiatives.
• Has proven advocacy and coalition-building tactics resulting in a major policy change.
• Has taken action to advance increases in housing supply.
• Has encouraged/supported/motivated public engagement in the planning process, particularly communities historically left out or disengaged from traditional planning processes.

Zoning Innovation

Nominees have made documented contributions in the following areas:

• Has advanced an approach or strategy that supports housing at the right place, type, and price that meets community needs.
• Has implemented a novel approach to zoning reform that incorporates smart growth principles to encourage housing options and create thriving, well-connected places.
• Has had successful impacts leading to increased housing units (planned or built) in well-connected locations.
• The advanced approach or strategy provides valuable best practices for other communities.
• Has active involvement, support, and relationships with city, community, and business leaders around pro-housing reforms.

Form-Based Code Award

Nominees have made documented contributions in the following areas:

• Applicants must submit a form-based code that adheres to the Standards of Practice
• Description of form-based code accomplishes the effort to improve public health.
• Form-based codes must demonstrate new rules or results that support healthier lifestyles, beyond the normal characteristics of small block perimeters and street spaces designed for walking and biking.
• Both newly adopted and established codes showing positive built results are eligible.
• SGA encourages code applications that have been adopted for disinvested neighborhoods or communities of color, or that have been drafted by minority professionals.