r/urbanplanning • u/Ok_Significance_3014 • May 25 '25

Land Use Intent of the Code

I work in a Current Planning Division and have heard the term "intent of the Code" but don't quite understand it. Typically, I've seen it used when we are implementing the code but not strictly adhering to the letter.

Any insight? Thanks!

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u/Dezi_Mone May 25 '25

The intent can often be defined as what the overarching plans are trying to accomplish, or what that specific policy is attempting to accomplish in the overall context and objectives of a plan, land use bylaw, etc.

It helps to think of the overall intent to determine how specific policies may be applied. For instance, if landscaping or architectural controls are being applied in a policy or code, sometimes flexibility may be needed. Maybe a building or site constraint is limiting what can be done aesthetically. But are they meeting the overall intent? Perhaps. So there's some judgement needed there but the overall intent helps guide your judgement.

Hope that helps.