The Marin County Form-Based Code was released in December, 2022. It was developed to be utilized by the County of Marin and also by the 10 cities within the county: Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, and Sausalito.
It was developed at a cost of $1.14 million, obtained through grant funding. The document was prepared by the Bay-area architecture and planning firm Opticos. Their book “Form Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers” is a comprehensive illustrative guide to Form-Based Codes. A sample of the book can be downloaded at no charge. It is shown below, after the Marin Form-Based Code document.
The section of their “Core Main Street” is especially valuable for us. This zoning corresponds somewhat with Arcata’s Gateway area.
“A walkable, vibrant district of large footprint, high-intensity mixed-use buildings and housing choices supporting ground floor retail, food, and services.”
The Marin County Form-Based code is a thing of beauty. In addition to being a great code for Marin, it is also a valuable teaching tool, for us to read and learn about what a good form-based code can be.
Contents
- Zones Overview (partial). A few pages from the start of the code document.
- The code section for “T5 Core Main Street” — 5-story maximum, walkable downtown buildings. This zoning corresponds somewhat with Arcata’s Gateway area.
- The full 322-page document. It can be downloaded or individual pages or groups of pages printed.
- A sample of the book “Form Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers”
T5 Core Main Street
The Marin County Form-Based Code
This document can also be downloaded or individual pages or groups of pages printed.
From the book “Form Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers”
A sample from the book “Form Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers“