In 2023, the City of Dexter adopted an updated Zoning Ordinance to preserve its historic downtown and village areas, set the bar for new buildings, and allow flexibility for unanticipated situations. 

The updated Zoning Ordinance and companion Subdivisions Ordinance were drafted by CWA with guidance from a sub-committee of elected and appointed City officials with support from City planning staff.  The resulting Zoning Ordinance transitioned the Downtown, commercial areas at the gateways of the City and Downtown, the two major commercial corridors, and historic village neighborhoods into form-based districts.  Meanwhile, more suburban style districts remained use-based with easy to understand uses and regulations.  

The revised ordinances fulfilled the following community goals:

• Protect the historic character of the original Village plats, by using a form-based approach to allow the diversity of buildings and uses in these areas to continue, while requiring architectural compatibility for new development. 

• Diversify housing options with new housing types, such as attached single-family and low-rise apartments on corridors, and allowing smaller lots in the Village neighborhoods. 

• Increase the sustainability of the community by lowering parking minimums, enhancing tree protection, and encouraging low impact development. 

• Create complete streets with requirements for sidewalks, bicycle parking, and pedestrian crosswalks in parking lots.  

• Create flexibility with clear standards for development regulations, including parking, loading and landscaping.