This page provides information about background information about the City of Rochester's efforts to update its zoning code. Subsequent pages describe the process as it moves towards completion
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The City’s last comprehensive look at its Zoning Code took place in 2003. Since then, the City has changed; new residents, new businesses, new priorities, emerging trends, and a new vision for the future necessitate a comprehensive look at the City’s development regulations. This is an important task to allow for implementation of the City’s Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan – its vision – as many of the zoning district regulations currently in place may not relate to the current built environment, creating nonconformities, or may not allow for certain forms of development that the community has indicated that it desires.
The City of Rochester is currently in the process of update its Zoning Code. The process began before the pandemic with the first iteration presented for public comment in 2020/2021 and a subsequent iteration in 2021/2022. The third iteration is due late in 2023. The information provided below and to date represents a DRAFT. The final version is expected in 2024.
ZAP Community Engagement Through January, 2024
WEBSITE: Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan. This plan and the supporting research drives much of the Zoning Alignment Project (ZAP).
WEBSITE: Zoning Alignment Project (ZAP) | City of Rochester. This is the official website that describes and tracks ZAP.
WEBPAGE: Draft Zoning Map. This map allows users to "swipe" and compare the current zoning with the PROPOSED zoning. You will be able to see the PROPOSED new zoning districts along with a brief description of what each district allows.
WEBPAGE: DRAFT Use Standards and Definitions
WEBPAGE: DRAFT Use Table and Use Permissions
DOCUMENT: Final Scope for Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (added July 11, 2023)
DOCUMENT: ZAP presentation to Rochester City Council on July 20, 2023 (notes provided by Bob Thompson, president of Highland Park Neighborhood Association). PowerPoint slides that accompanied the presentation to City Council. (See below.)
The categories proposed for Upper Monroe as well as the definitions of each category are in DRAFT form.
