Buffalo Green Code — Local Form Studio

Buffalo Green Code
Buffalo, NY

This APA award-winning Form-Based Code represents the second and final phase of the Buffalo Green Code, a place-based economic development strategy designed to implement the smart growth and sustainability objectives of Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Green Code, adopted citywide in 2017, has resulted in a restructuring of the policies and regulations guiding the city’s physical development, including the first citywide land use plan since 1977, and the first comprehensive zoning rewrite since 1953.

The Code translates the detailed policy direction of Buffalo’s Land Use Plan into a form-based code that addresses zoning, subdivision, and the public realm. It consolidates land use and development regulations into a single user-friendly document that coordinates approval procedures, eliminates conflicts between related codes, and encourages high-quality development. The Buffalo Green Code won the Richard H. Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award in 2019.

Role
Local Form Studio’s Christopher Riale was co-author of the new zoning code and assisted in the creation of illustrative graphics to convey dimensional requirements and urban design standards for new construction.

* Work completed by Christopher Riale while employed with Camiros, Ltd.

Client