Which of the following best describes the focus of form-based codes?

• A. Building heights and massing
• B. Regulation of form and urban design
• C. Zoning districts
• D. Tax policies

Answer: (B)

Form-based codes center on shaping the physical form of the built environment and the urban design of streets, blocks, and the public realm. They specify how buildings relate to the street—things like street-front continuity, build-to lines, height and massing, and the way public spaces are organized—so the produced place has a clear character and pedestrian-friendly feel. This approach prioritizes the look and experience of the neighborhood and how the form of development communicates with the public realm, rather than focusing mainly on what uses are allowed.

While building heights and massing are part of what form-based codes regulate, the broader idea is regulating form and urban design across the area, not just individual height limits. Traditional zoning, by contrast, centers on land uses and districts, and tax policies deal with fiscal matters, so they don’t capture the design-focused intent of form-based codes.