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Unified Development Code

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To view Milton's adopted Unified Development Code in full, CLICK HERE.

The City of Milton has adopted a Unified Development Code that weaves all code related to development into a single, more concise, easy-to-understand policy document. The idea is citizens, contractors, and others now can go to one place -- rather than looking around different parts of the City Code -- to find everything they need to know about rules and regulations regarding development and land use.

The Planning Commission worked with City staff to fine-tune a draft document, with the City Council having opportunity for input as well. Citizens were able to weigh in at public forums as well as through an interactive, web-based platform (CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT). On April 8, 2024, the City Council formally adopted the Unified Development Code (as well as some corresponding revisions to City Code).

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Citizens had many opportunities from fall 2022 through spring 2024 to share their opinions on and track the progression of the Unified Development Code. This included.

  • NOV. 9, 2022, at 4 p.m.: PUBLIC KICK-OFF/TOWN HALL

The Planning Commission continued reviewing elements of the UDC, ultimately going into detail through all 13 articles. That was followed by:

  • NOV. 28, 2023: COMMUNITY ZONING INFORMATION MEETING
  • DEC. 20, 2023: PLANNING COMMISSION (WATCH VIDEO)
  • FEB. 12, 2024: CITY COUNCIL - WORK SESSION (WATCH VIDEO) 
  • MARCH 18, 2024: CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING (ITEM UNDER 1ST PRESENTATION) (WATCH VIDEO)
  • APRIL 8, 2024: CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING (ADOPTION VOTE) (WATCH VIDEO)
ANSWERS TO KEY QUESTIONS

Where did the idea for a Milton UDC come from? The 2040 Comprehensive Plan – which involved extensive public input – proposed the creation of a UDC for Milton, which is something that some other communities already use.

Is this a policy or a technical document? It’s more the latter. The idea is not to reinvent policy but rather to more clearly, succinctly, and effectively state it.

So are there significant changes in Milton policy? No. The point wasn't to alter Milton’s approach to development-related code. Rather, it’s to take existing elements of such code before reordering and only slightly reworking them for consistency and clarity.

Who is the UDC written for?  Everyone. Some code can be legalistic and hard-to-follow. A key goal of the UDC is that it’s something that anyone – from a contractor to a major developer’s attorney to a citizen looking to do remodeling – can read and understand.

What zoning districts are incorporated into the UDC? All of them. Generally, it includes articles labeled “agricultural districts,” “residential districts,” “business districts” and “special purpose districts.”

Does this replace the form-based code for Crabapple and Deerfield?  No. Both form-based codes are woven into the UDC.