Zoning Reform

From this page, you can follow the links to the different ZOTA and SRA project pages to access various resources relating to each application, which include:

  • Summary of the amendments being made or proposed

  • Links to documents and presentations

  • Notable meeting dates with (when available) links to meeting videos

  • (when available) Information on public input meetings and digital engagement opportunities

  • One of the primary implementation mechanisms for the Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington 2045, is updating the regulatory documents that set the rules, specifications, and processes for land use in Lexington. These updates include Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (ZOTAs) and Subdivision Regulation Amendments (SRAs).

    Revising our ordinances and regulations ensures that -

    - The community’s input is reflected in how we grow and change.

    - Our City's standards are brought up-to-date with national best practices for informed urban growth and equitable community development.

    - The long-term vision laid out within the themes of Imagine Lexington is able to be realized.

  • A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA), is an update to the City of Lexington's Zoning Ordinance, which regulates land use within all of Fayette County. ZOTAs apply community-wide and are not directed to specific properties, which makes them distinctly different than zone change applications.

    Each ZOTA application goes through a public process, which means the public has the opportunity to inform and provide feedback on the proposed changes. Once a draft of the proposed amendment is complete and a public hearing is had, the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the Urban County Council, where it is considered for adoption to make the change law.

  • A Subdivision Regulation Amendment (SRA), is an update to the City of Lexington's Subdivision Regulations, which sets specific standards that must be met by property owners who submit subdivision plans for land within the Fayette County.

    Similar to a ZOTA, the changes that result from SRAs apply at a community level and do not only apply to a specific property.

    Each SRA application goes through a public process, which means the public has the opportunity to inform and provide feedback on the proposed changes. Once a draft of the proposed amendment is complete and a public hearing is had, the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the Urban County Council, where it is considered for adoption to make the change law.

Ongoing Code Reform

Landscaping & Tree Protection

An Ordinance that updates outdated landscaping and tree canopy regulations.

Previously Approved Regulation Changes

Urban Growth Management

An Ordinance that implements recommendations from the 2023 Comprehensive Plans, supporting infill and redevelopment and promoting the development of new affordable housing.

Outdoor Lighting Standards

An Ordinance that is designed to promote outdoor lighting that enriches our urban landscape and ensures public safety.

Notification Expansion

An ordinance amendment that will expand notification letter recipients from property owners to both owners and occupants within a 500-foot radius of the subject property of a development application.

Rethink Parking

An ordinance amendment that will modernize our parking regulations to balance the needs of parking demand and supply while also creating a safe, walkable, sustainable, and livable community.

Rethink Open Space

An ordinance amendment that will address open space requirements for private properties.

Floor Area Ratio

An ordinance amendment that modifies the allowable floor area ratio (FAR) and lot coverage in multiple residential zones.

Affordable Housing Parking

An ordinance amendment that revises parking requirements for mixed-income housing developments.

Accessory Dwelling Units

A proposed ordinance amendment that includes general provisions for the incorporation and regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units.

Street Patterns & Continuity

An ordinance amendment that revises the standards for street patterns for new development projects.

Sidewalk Widths

An ordinance amendment that updates the width requirements for sidewalks and shared use paths.

Please note, the ZOTAs and SRAs listed on the page are only those that are in direct response to the recommendations within Imagine Lexington. At any time, there may be other applications in process that do not relate as directly to Imagine Lexington.

For this reason, please refer to this webpage (also maintained by the Division of Planning) for a listing of all active text amendment applications.

Want to get involved? Here’s how:

After reading through the draft text on a ZOTA project page, leave a comment or a question you might have. We catalogue all the comments we get, and send them to the appropriate staff and the Planning Commission. You can also email us your comments at imagine@lexingtonky.gov

Attend a future Planning Commission work session to learn more on these ZOTAs. You can check when the next Planning Commission meeting is at https://www.lexingtonky.gov/calendar/events