Zoning Administrators and Other Planning Adjacent Professions
Zoning administration and enforcement is hard work. In smaller municipalities, the zoning administrator might even serve as the de facto planner, building official, and code enforcement officer. The Michigan Association of Planning recognizes the critical role of the zoning administrator in the planning, zoning, and development review processes and we have developed publications, workshops, and resources specifically for this position. MAP offers customized products to help Zoning Administrators understand their roles, responsibilities, and legal framework, and how they fit into municipal community building.
More membership benefits here.
A membership with MAP provides you early access to all of MAP's offerings at a discounted price. In addition, members receive the Michigan Planner magazine on a bi-monthly basis that includes topics important and relevant to zoning administrators.
More publications and resources for Zoning Administrators below:
Site Plan Review - CLOSE OUT
Limited quantities available
MAP has updated the companion manual to our Site Plan Review workshop.
But we still have a few copies of the old issue.
This older issue still provides explanations on the process and what to look for when conducting a site plan review.
AICP Pin
American Institute of Certified Planners Pin (Vintage style)
Measurements: 3/4" X 1/4"
Material: Gold Tone
Asset Management
This 36 minute long technical presentation includes an overview of the process, tools, and strategies for undertaking asset management and is best for staff or officials who have a basic understanding of CIP’s and asset management. Next steps handout included in the show notes.
Blight: Be Gone!
Many different people are involved with planning and development in a community: elected and appointed officials, inspectors, planners, and other staff, developers and citizens. While no one ever plans for blight or nuisances, they are a part of a community, too. Learn the difference between blight and nuisances and the legal strategies available to combat them. No matter what your role is, this presentation will provide tools and programs you can use to help eliminate blight. 90 minutes. Recorded March 2025.
Purchase includes a reference book that will be shipped to you. Additional resources listed in the show notes.
Capital Improvements Programs
Provides an overview of a Capital Improvement Program, a checklist for developing and updating a Capital Improvement Program, as well as a template, on how to develop lists, plans, and estimates of time and cost of public structures and projects.
Community Engagement
The companion manual to our Community Engagement workshop. It includes strategies and tools along with worksheets to use for your own engagement strategies.
Community Engagement for Housing: Changing Hearts and Minds
Many planners find that when it comes to housing projects, the traditional engagement process does not draw a representative section of the community and, as a result, does not produce recommendations that meet the community's needs, or the goals expressed in the adopted master plan. This session identifies the groups who are consistently struggling to find housing across the state, helping communities design engagement practices that can better reach them. It also explores ways to bring housing advocates, and their deep knowledge of housing needs and proven solutions, into the public conversation. Recorded in July 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
DDAs and TIFs
Michigan has many different types of authorities that use Tax Increment Financing (TIF). In this 35 minute long presentation, learn the different kinds of authorities available to government under state law; how tax increment financing works; and what projects are eligible.
Environmental Planning
Rain gardens and complete streets are all aspects of environmental planning. This 46-minute deep dive covers the relationship between land use and the natural environment, the importance of environmental planning and current trends. Next step resources included in the show notes.
Ethics and Equity: Lessons for Planners
Conversations and lectures on the planning codes of ethics (APA Ethics Statement and the AICP Code of Ethics) often focus on specific rules of conduct that govern behaviors and actions. This means we often miss the chance to challenge ourselves to discuss the “aspirational” piece of these codes, particularly in terms of equitable planning. In this interactive session, we’ll discuss the ethics of everyday behavior, administrative discretion, plans and policies, and the APA Equity Policy Guide and its relationship to the codes of ethics.
Christina Anderson, AICP, City of Kalamazoo, MAP Board of Directors, Professional Development Officer
Jill Bahm, AICP, Giffels Webster, MAP Board of Directors
Moderator: Wendy Rampson, AICP, MAP
1 Ethics AICP CM Credit
Form Based Codes
This 52 minute presentation gets to the heart of Form Based Codes, including how they are different from conventional zoning, when a FBC is appropriate, how to incorporate FBC into your community’s codes, and next steps. Next step resources included in the show notes.
Home Occupations
This 2 hour workshop recorded on December 8, 2021 includes 1 1/2 hours of presentation and then another 1/2 hour of questions and answers with the authors. Registrants for the online webinar receive a PDF of the complete Home Occupation publication, along with PDF and Word versions of the Sample Ordinance language.
Housing Choice, Supply & Affordability
The companion book to our Housing workshop. Curated articles on laws pertaining to housing, NIMBY, planning and zoning for housing, markets and ADUs.
Housing Element of the Master Plan
In November 2024, Representative Grant's PEA amendment to require a housing element in a municipal master plan was enacted into law. This session will review the specifics of the new language and present best practices to develop a housing plan, including an assessment of the community's existing and forecasted housing demands and addressing a range of housing characteristics. Recorded in April 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
Housing Finance for Planners
Planners can estimate the number and type of housing units needed, and update master plans and zoning codes to be ready when a developer shows up, but we often do not have an understanding of how projects are financed, how lean the profit margins can be, and why affordable units will almost always require a subsidy. Planners should possess this knowledge and can serve as "translators" between elected and appointed leaders, the public, and the development community. Recorded in February 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
Housing in 7 Parts - Complete Pro-Housing Webinar Series from 2025
MAP’s 2025 Pro-Housing Webinar Series
These webinars will prepare community planners, housers, advocates, developers, and local leaders with a collection of policy, regulatory, programmatic, and finance solutions to help your municipality get the housing it needs to provide shelter to all who want to live in your community.
This 7-module Pro-Housing Webinar Series which ran from January to September 2025, covers it all, from how to contemporize zoning codes to make development review processes more predictable and creating a data driven housing element of your master plan to corridor planning and why missing middle housing probably IS one of the most effective ways to provide housing for those seeking something other than a single family detached home.
Includes recordings and show notes with resources on 7 different housing topics:
New Housing Developments Using Brownfield Tax Increment Financing Webinar, recorded January 2025
Housing Finance for Planners, recorded February 2025
Housing Element of the Comprehensive or Master Plan recorded April 2025
Missing Middle Housing by Opticos Design recorded May 2025
Uses By Right and Administrative Approvals recorded June 2025
Community Engagement for Housing: Changing Hearts and Minds recorded July 2025
Transforming Corridors with Housing recorded September 2025
Housing
Housing is an important issue in many communities. This 30-minute primer covers how a community should assess its housing needs and strategies for ensuring those needs are met. State and federal housing laws are also addressed. Next steps handout included in the show notes.
Making Good Decisions Together
Companion reference book to the Making Good Decisions Together workshop. Curated resources on roles and responsibilities.
Managing Risk: Making Sound Planning & Zoning Decisions
Reference tool regarding roles and responsibilities, preparation of bylaws and minutes, and applicable statutes.
Master Planning Process
The companion manual to our Master Plan workshop. Reference tool regarding the process, best practices and applicable state statutes.
Missing Middle Housing - Presented by Opticos Design
Missing Middle housing is a concept that highlights the need for diverse, affordable housing choices in walkable places. Middle housing is largely considered "missing" because such building types have been illegal or difficult to build since the middle of the last century when single family zoning became the predominant residential arrangement in practically every municipality across the country. Reintegrating these housing concepts into our plans and codes can go a long way toward increasing housing supply with in-demand housing products. Presented by Jennifer Settle of Opticos Design. Recorded in May 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
New Housing Developments using Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
The Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act was revised in 2023 to expand the eligible activities for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) reimbursement, including housing as an eligible activity. Hear how communities and developers now have an additional tool to help tackle the shortage of affordable housing. Recorded in January 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
Nonconformities
Nonconformities can be vexing and how planners have approached them has changed over time. Join MAP for a deep dive into all types of nonconformities. The latest case law on the subject is also covered. Catherine Kaufman, JD, AICP and Michael Bila, JD presenting. Recorded March 2024.
1 Law AICP CM Credit + 0.5 AICP CM Credit
Parking
How can you ensure that parking remains the vital (but supporting) role in your downtown’s present and future? This 26-minute watch on demand presentation explains the past, present, and future of parking, along with case studies from small Michigan cities. Next steps resources included in the show notes.
Planned Unit Development
This 24-minute webinar explains what exactly a PUD or Planned Unit Development is and how communities can leverage this powerful planning tool. If your community is considering adopting or amending its PUD ordinance, this workshop is for you. Next steps handout included in the show notes.
Planning and Zoning Essentials
The companion manual to our most requested training. Provides an overview of Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals duties AND how to make effective decisions.
Planning Commissioner's Toolkit
It provides information in a tabbed, easy-to-use format. It equips new Planning Commissioners with the master plan, zoning ordinance, preparation for a meeting, understanding of development proposals, and much more.
($24 if ordering five or more)
Michigan Signage Guidebook Package
- Sign Guidelines Presentation Pre-Recorded and a Q and A Recorded (over 2 hours of content) | Watch On Demand
- Sign Guidebook, 2nd Edition, Discounted Price. Look for promo code in your registration confirmation
- Michigan Planner magazine. November/ December 2021 issue devoted to Signs
Site Plan Review
The companion manual to our Site Plan Review workshop. Provides explanations on the process and what to look for when conducting a site plan review.
Survive and Thrive
Available online for free. Printed, spiral bound copies available for purchase.Lessons from Michigan Coastal Communities Planning for Resiliency.
Target Market Analysis
Target Market Analysis (TMA) is a powerful tool that can assist communities in planning and zoning. This 50-minute presentation explains the in’s and out’s of TMA, provides an example case study, and gives you next steps.
Transforming your Corridors with Housing
Most municipalities in Michigan have a corridor that is replete with resources, including infrastructure and even transit, which are underutilized. Hear from communities that are retrofitting their tired corridors into thriving, people-centered spaces that create new economic opportunities, using housing to lead the charge. Recorded in September 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
Uses by Right and Administrative Approvals
Permitting uses by right and implementing administrative approvals can connect a community vision that is based on meaningful community engagement and articulated in a plan with more appropriate zoning review processes, creating more opportunities for investment and growth. This session discusses ways to shift responsibility for administrative development decisions toward the administrative professionals, freeing up elected and appointed officials to set policy and develop broad guidance while reducing gratuitous friction in the review process. Recorded in June 2025. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources in the show notes.
Utility Basics
A great primer for officials and non-engineering staff, this 48 minute watch on demand presentation explains how utilities-from sewers to electricity and everything in between--work, how they show up on site plans, and what best practices should be utilized going forward with new development. Links to supplemental information included in the show notes.
Woodland Preservation
Originally recorded in January 2022. For decades, many local ordinances have required preservation of existing trees and planting of new trees to protect the environment and to preserve quality of life in our communities. Two recent court decisions have brought the implementation of those requirements into question. Join MAP Law Committee members, Richard Norton, Emily Palacios, and Mark Wyckoff as they present a tale of two townships and two court cases. Learn how to bolster your natural preservation ordinances from legal challenges. Purchase includes link to recording, as well as links to other resources.
Advanced ZBA: Beyond the Fundamentals
The companion manual to our Advanced ZBA workshop. Curated resources on the Zoning Board of Appeals and case studies.
Zoning Administration Book Only
The companion book to our Zoning Administration workshop. Provides information in a tabbed, easy to use format. Topics include planning, zoning, enforcement, meeting practices, state statutes and model forms, reports and agendas.
Zoning Administration 2.0 Book Only
The companion book to our Zoning Administration 2.0 workshop. Curated articles on adminstration topics such as, new official orientation, administrative approvals, using data, meeting management, and much more.
Zoning Administration 2.0 Webinar
Debuted in 2023, this 2.5 hour workshop is a fast paced, interactive session. The following topics are reviewed: roles, laws other than zoning that affect land use, enforcement, court cases, and trends in zoning. Recorded version available for on demand learning, includes a reference book and links to online activities.
Zoning Administration Webinar
This 4-hour comprehensive program is for administrators in rural, suburban, or urban settings. Interested in a more complete understanding of all facets of zoning administration from legal basis to record-keeping to enforcement? Recorded in two parts, includes a robust reference book.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The companion manual to our Zoning Board of Appeals workshop. It provides information on responsibilities, best meeting practices and case studies.
Zoning Board of Appeals Toolkit
It provides information in a tabbed, easy-to-use format. It equips new ZBA members with the knowledge and skills to execute their duties.
($24 if ordering five or more)
Zoning Ordinance: A to Z - Book Only
The companion manual to MAP's Zoning Ordinance workshop; covers history of zoning, best practices, processes, and enforcement.
Zoning Ordinance: A to Z Webinar
This MAP workshop to provide local decision makers with everything they need to know about this important regulatory, police power tool. A brief history of zoning, alternative ways to zone, a tour of a typical zoning ordinance including tips and best practices, zoning approval processes, and enforcement are all on the agenda. Recorded version available for on demand learning, includes a reference book and links to online activities.
Zoning Reform Toolkit
Available online free of charge. Printed, spiral bound copies available for purchase. The Toolkit lays out the elements of the housing crisis and creating a case for zoning reform as a necessary intervention. Communications strategies for discussing the housing shortage and the necessity of zoning reform to combat it are outlined, along with 15 zoning tools to address housing supply, choice, and affordability.
Zoning Reform: Stories and Studies
A Companion to the Zoning Reform Toolkit
Available online free of charge. Printed, spiral bound copies available for purchase. 100 communities tell the Michigan Association of Planning about the zoning reform tools they’re using. Communities sat down with MAP and talked frankly, seriously, and technically about housing in their communities. We asked them all the same basic questions: Is housing getting built in your community? What does your planning and zoning say about housing? What’s the public conversation like? What other resources are needed? We followed those basic questions with a deep conversation with each city, village, or township.
