Submissions closed
Center for Zoning Solutions Awards
The CZS Awards recognize outstanding achievements in zoning that can support the development of more housing at the right place, type, and price. This year’s award categories have expanded and include: Zoning Innovation, Zoning Advocacy, and Form-Based Code.
Applications are closed. Winners will be announced at the CZS Awards ceremony on Nov. 18, 2026 at the YIMYtown conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The nation's most innovative zoning leaders deserve to be recognized.
Across the country, communities, practitioners, and advocates are rethinking zoning to make it easier to build more homes in the right places. The Center for Zoning Solutions Awards celebrate the people and places leading that work, and the ideas that can help make communities more healthy, prosperous, and resilient for everyone.
Celebrating excellence in zoning
Since 2008, Smart Growth America has celebrated communities leading the way in zoning reform. Entering a new era, the 2026 CZS Awards build on that legacy while expanding recognition to communities, practitioners, advocates, and leaders advancing innovative zoning solutions. As communities across the country face the most significant housing shortage in generations, it is more important than ever to address systemic barriers and modernize zoning to allow the kinds of homes and neighborhoods communities need.
The Center for Zoning Solutions Awards recognize outstanding achievements in zoning innovation, advocacy, and form-based codes that are helping communities address the housing affordability crisis. By celebrating proven approaches and measurable impact, the awards aim to elevate successful models that can be replicated in communities across the country.
Applications are closed. Stay tuned as we announce winners later this fall.
The 2026 CZS Awards will recognize excellence across three categories:
Zoning innovation
Recognizing novel approaches to zoning that have advanced smart growth and supported increased housing development in well-connected locations. This broad category may include new ordinances, overlays, code updates, or other creative approaches that led to meaningful results. This award is open to communities that have implemented these notable zoning changes. Practitioners may also submit an application with the support of local government partners.
Zoning advocacy
Recognizing individuals and organizations whose leadership has advanced solutions to address zoning barriers. This award is open to individuals, community-based organizations, and others who have successfully advocated for change.
Form-based codes
Recognizing exemplary form-based codes that advance the practice of form-based zoning for inclusive development, healthy and people-oriented communities, and predictable development outcomes. This award is open to communities with a form-based code that has been implemented. Practitioners may also submit an application with the support of local government partners.
Award entry guidelines
To submit a complete nomination, please include the following:
- A written response to the award criteria via the Google Form application (with specific examples) highlighting accomplishments that demonstrate why the nominee is deserving of the award.
- Organizations/Practitioners may also submit an application with the support of local government partners.
- If an organization, a brief description of the organization.
- Applicants should feel free to use succinct responses (750 words or less) and can include links or supplemental materials, especially if that will help you be more efficient with your time.
Timeline
July 8, 2026: Submissions open
August 19, 2026: Submissions due by 11:59 p.m. ET
August - September 2026: Applications review and jury deliberation
November 18, 2026: Award Ceremony and official announcement of winners at the 2026 YIMBYtown conference in Raleigh, North Carolina
January 2027: CZS Award winners webinar
Read about the 2024 FBC Award Winner: Kingston, NY
With development pressures increasing due to the region’s proximity to New York City, Kingston is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Kingston’s code intends to address these barriers and create housing by streamlining the regulatory process for ADU projects citywide—and duplexes and fourplexes in the majority of neighborhoods—so that these projects are held to the same standard as single-family home development (i.e., they are permitted by right). Not only does this save on time and costs, but it will create even more opportunities to build Missing Middle housing. Additionally, the city requires a percentage of affordable units in new-build projects and provides height bonuses to incentivize the development of low-income and workforce housing options.
CZS Awards
Applications are now closed. If you have questions, please contact Kathy Carter, Senior Project Manager, at kcarter@smartgrowthamerica.org, with the subject: "CZS FBC Award Questions".
