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Table of Policy Options for Smart Growth Fixes for Climate Adaptation and Resilience

This table of the policy options included in Smart Growth Fixes for Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Changing Land Use and Building Codes and Policies to Prepare for Climate Change is sortable by chapter (Overall Strategies, Adapting to Flooding and Extreme Precipitation, Adapting to Sea Level Rise, Adapting to Extreme Heat, Adapting to Drought, Adapting to Wildfire), level (Minor Adjustment, Major Modification, or Wholesale Change), and type of policy change (Collaboration/Partnerships, Education/Outreach, Incentives, Land Preservation, Pilot Program, Planning/Mapping, Regulatory). The table also lists other impacts to which a policy option might be relevant in addition to the main impact it addresses.

For more information on these policies, including examples of how they have been implemented in communities, read Smart Growth Fixes for Climate Adaptation and Resilience.

ChapterLevelType of Policy ChangePolicy ChangeOther Relevant Impacts
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentPlanning/ Mapping
Use regional climate change, population demographics, transportation demand, and related projections to understand where community assets could be vulnerable.
  • Incorporate projections into the comprehensive plan to show climate adaptation is a priority.
  • Mainstream climate change and smart growth into comprehensive, master, capital improvement, and hazard mitigation plans.
  • Update land use maps to identify vulnerable lands. Designate less-vulnerable areas and encourage development there.
  • Require new municipal buildings to be in well-connected, safer areas.
  • Establish clear annexation policies that take climate change projections into account.
Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentPlanning/ MappingAlign land use, hazard mitigation, transportation, capital improvement, and other plans so all plans are working toward the same goals.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentIncentives; RegulatoryCreate a list of desired development elements in more-vulnerable areas, and encourage or require developers to implement a certain number of them.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentIncentivesEvaluate development incentives to see if they encourage development in particularly vulnerable areas.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentPlanning/ MappingConduct a safe growth audit.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentEducation/ OutreachImprove public education about the risks of developing in sensitive areas.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesModest AdjustmentEducation/ OutreachAssess and address the needs of people who might be particularly vulnerable and/or are likely to be most affected, especially if they live in higher-risk areas.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesMajor ModificationPlanning/ MappingUse scenario planning to inform local planning and policies.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesMajor ModificationRegulatory
Adopt flexible zoning.
  • Adopt elements of dynamic zoning, or building flexibility into codes.
  • Adopt a floating zone or overlay zone.
Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesMajor ModificationPlanning/ MappingIncorporate fiscal impact analysis into development review, and make sure it includes costs related to climate change impacts.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesMajor ModificationRegulatoryAllow a mix of uses.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesMajor ModificationPlanning/ Mapping; IncentivesIncorporate into the land use map, comprehensive plan, and economic development plan locations where it makes sense to encourage economic growth. Encourage businesses to locate there.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesMajor ModificationCollaboration/ Partnerships; Regulatory
Encourage on-site renewable energy generation and storage.
  • Amend codes or adopt ordinances to allow renewable energy on individual properties and in communal installations.
  • Use public-private partnerships to promote renewable energy.
Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesWholesale ChangePlanning/ MappingIncorporate into capital projects features that enhance resilience and bring multiple other benefits.Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Extreme heat, Drought, Wildfire
Overall StrategiesWholesale ChangePlanning/ Mapping; Regulatory
Plan for post-disaster redevelopment before a disaster strikes.
  • Create a post-disaster redevelopment plan.
  • Adopt a post-disaster redevelopment ordinance.
Flooding and extreme precipitation, Sea level rise, Drought, Wildfire
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationModest AdjustmentPilot ProgramPilot a sustainable streetscape program with green infrastructure features.Sea level rise, Extreme heat
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationModest AdjustmentEducation/ Outreach; IncentivesHelp private property owners better manage stormwater through education and incentives. 
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationModest AdjustmentLand PreservationDesign open space in flood plains for multiple amenities.Sea level rise
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationModest AdjustmentRegulatoryRequire new development or redevelopment to capture and infiltrate the first 1 or 1.5 inches of rain. 
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationModest AdjustmentRegulatoryUpdate any Clean Water Act Section 402 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits to consider climate change. 
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationMajor ModificationPlanning/ MappingAdopt the 500-year flood plain as the "locally regulated flood plain."Sea level rise
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationMajor ModificationRegulatoryRestrict development in areas buffering water bodies or wetlands.Sea level rise
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationMajor ModificationRegulatoryAdopt green and complete streets design standards.Extreme heat
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationMajor ModificationLand PreservationAcquire properties at risk of flooding, use the land for infiltration, and help the property owners resettle in the community.Sea level rise
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationMajor ModificationCollaboration/ PartnershipsEnter into a community-based public-private partnership to install and maintain green infrastructure.Extreme heat
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationWholesale ChangePilot ProgramCreate an overarching framework for water-related initiatives.Sea level rise
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationWholesale ChangeRegulatoryEstablish elevation requirements with design guidelines for streets and infrastructure.Sea level rise
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationWholesale ChangeRegulatoryAdopt a site plan requirement that requires all new development to retain all stormwater on-site. 
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationWholesale ChangeRegulatoryCreate sustainable funding for stormwater infrastructure. 
Flooding and Extreme PrecipitationWholesale ChangeEducation/ OutreachDevelop a municipal stormwater design manual that illustrates context-appropriate green infrastructure.Sea level rise, Extreme heat
Sea Level RiseModest AdjustmentPlanning/ MappingAdd projected sea level rise to flood zone hazard maps that are based exclusively on historical events. 
Sea Level RiseModest AdjustmentLand PreservationDesignate and protect "transition zones" near tidal marshes. 
Sea Level RiseModest AdjustmentRegulatoryChange the definition of "normal high water" for land adjacent to tidal waters to change regulatory setbacks. 
Sea Level RiseMajor ModificationPlanning/ Mapping; RegulatoryIncorporate sea level rise impacts into all future land use planning and regulations using projections rather than past trends. 
Sea Level RiseMajor ModificationRegulatoryStrengthen building codes in coastal zones by requiring additional adaptation strategies.Flooding and precipitation
Sea Level RiseMajor ModificationRegulatoryModify the steep-slope ordinance to account for slopes exposed to increased moisture due to changes in precipitation and sea level rise.Flooding and precipitation
Sea Level RiseMajor ModificationRegulatoryCreate an overlay district where flood regulations and standards would apply, or establish context-sensitive shoreline classifications with appropriate standards.Flooding and precipitation
Sea Level RiseMajor ModificationRegulatoryRequire building-level design for disassembly/ adaptation planning.Flooding and precipitation; Wildfire
Sea Level RiseWholesale ChangePilot ProgramDesignate and protect working waterfronts. 
Sea Level RiseWholesale ChangeRegulatoryImplement rolling development restrictions. 
Sea Level RiseWholesale ChangePlanning/ MappingBegin planning for managed retreat from the shoreline.Flooding and precipitation; Wildfire
Extreme HeatModest AdjustmentIncentivesOffer financial or procedural incentives to use passive survivability. 
Extreme HeatModest AdjustmentProgram; Planning/ MappingMap "hot spots," and conduct pilot programs in these places to reduce heat. 
Extreme HeatModest AdjustmentEducation/ Outreach
Support the people and neighborhoods that are most vulnerable and least able to adapt on their own.
  • Designate cooling centers in neighborhoods with particularly vulnerable populations.
  • Identify vulnerable populations, and develop an outreach plan for them.
 
Extreme HeatModest AdjustmentIncentivesOffer incentives to plant and protect trees.Flooding and precipitation
Extreme HeatModest AdjustmentPlanning/ MappingInclude reducing heat island effects as an objective in complete streets projects. 
Extreme HeatMajor ModificationIncentives; RegulatoryRequire or encourage green or reflective roofs on new buildings with little or no roof slope. 
Extreme HeatMajor ModificationRegulatoryRevise the zoning ordinance to allow urban agriculture. 
Extreme HeatMajor ModificationRegulatoryRequire shade trees in all municipal projects and private parking lots. 
Extreme HeatMajor ModificationPlanning/ MappingAdopt a tree canopy or urban forest master plan and implementing ordinances. 
Extreme HeatMajor ModificationIncentives; RegulatoryRequire or offer incentives for using cool paving in municipal capital improvement projects and private parking lots. 
Extreme HeatMajor ModificationRegulatoryAmend site plan requirements and design guidelines to encourage light or permeable paving, shade, green alleys, vegetation, and tree canopy. 
Extreme HeatWholesale ChangeRegulatoryAdopt an energy conservation code to establish minimum requirements for energy efficiency in buildings, or adopt a stretch or reach code. 
Extreme HeatWholesale ChangeRegulatoryIncorporate passive survivability into the building code. 
DroughtModest AdjustmentRegulatoryEncourage compact development policies such as walkable block sizes, transit-supportive density, and high intersection connectivity.Extreme heat, Wildfire
DroughtModest AdjustmentEducation/ OutreachRecommend the use of drought-tolerant plants or xeriscaping as part of water conservation, landscaping, and water waste ordinances.Extreme heat
DroughtModest AdjustmentIncentivesPromote the use of WaterSense-rated plumbing fixtures through incentives. 
DroughtMajor ModificationRegulatoryImplement a water impact fee that reflects each property's consumption. 
DroughtMajor ModificationIncentivesOffer rebates or other incentives to encourage drought-tolerant plants, residential rainwater harvesting, water-efficient fixtures, or other water-saving practices. 
DroughtMajor ModificationRegulatoryMandate graywater-ready residential development. 
DroughtMajor ModificationPilot ProgramAdopt a citywide policy promoting water recycling for nonpotable uses. 
DroughtMajor ModificationRegulatoryRequire use of water-efficient fixtures through the building code. 
DroughtWholesale ChangeRegulatoryEnact a building energy and water benchmarking ordinance. 
DroughtWholesale ChangeRegulatoryEnact a water conservation or water waste ordinance to restrict the type of landscaping on new development and public properties. 
DroughtWholesale ChangeRegulatoryMandate rainwater harvesting for all new commercial construction. 
DroughtWholesale ChangeCollaboration/ PartnershipsIntegrate water resource management with land use plans to make sure the community has enough water for planned growth. 
WildfireModest AdjustmentCollaboration/ PartnershipsEstablish a task force to review building codes, development patterns, and other relevant issues. 
WildfireModest AdjustmentPlanning/ MappingIncorporate wildfire scenario planning into local planning. 
WildfireModest AdjustmentRegulatoryStrengthen requirements for building and roof materials to be fire-resistant and green. 
WildfireModest AdjustmentRegulatoryRequire sites for new emergency facilities to be outside of high-risk areas, well-connected, and easy to access.Flooding and precipitation, Sea level rise
WildfireModest AdjustmentRegulatoryRequire new developments to submit a fire protection plan during site plan review. 
WildfireMajor ModificationIncentives; RegulatoryEncourage or require compact development through comprehensive plans, area plans, and zoning codes. 
WildfireMajor ModificationRegulatoryIn subdivision regulations, require clustered development that is well-connected to existing development and walkable. 
WildfireMajor ModificationRegulatoryAdopt wildfire hazard overlay districts with development regulations based on factors like slope, structure, and fuel hazards. 
WildfireMajor ModificationCollaboration/ PartnershipsConsider adopting the Firewise Communities Program. 
WildfireWholesale ChangeRegulatoryRequire subdivisions to have a highly connected street network with multiple connection points to the external street network. 
WildfireWholesale ChangeLand PreservationAcquire and maintain open space between dense forested areas and residential development. 
Contact Us about Smart Growth to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on July 2, 2025
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