Geoffrey Ferrell Associates

Form-Based Codes that Work

With thirty years of experience with adopted Municipal Form-Based Ordinances, we have learned a great deal.
We have a track record of successful Form-Based Codes that are producing the results the community wanted.

Pragmatism + Idealism

We never lose sight of the ideal we are pursuing -- yet we are pragmatists who understand the 'art and value' of the possible.

Award Winning

Our work has been recognized at the State, Regional, and National levels for Plans and Codes that are adopted and working in municipalities across the country.

Shared Community Vision Plans

The absolute best foundation for a Form-Based Code. Our work is about reforming the Planning as well as the Zoning system. A Form-Based Code is best fitted to a Shared Community Vision like a glove to a hand. We have led Community Visioning Charrettes for three decades.

R. Geoffrey Ferrell

Geoffrey Ferrell is one of the originators of the modern practice of Form-Based Codes. His work ranges from site-specific Master Plans to zoning-toolkits to replace Euclidean zoning codes – development regulations that emphasize clarity for end-users. Before establishing his firm in 1992, Geoff was an urban designer and code writer for Duany Plater-Zyberk Architects in Miami. He also served two years as the Director of Urban Design for the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council in Florida.

Geoff has lectured extensively at state and national planning conferences, planning schools, and for the Form-Based Codes Institute. His work is featured in the books Form-Based Codes by Daniel and Karen Parolek and Paul Crawford, The New Urbanism by Peter Katz, and Retrofitting Suburbia by Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson.

...from A Vision Plan Report - Addressing "why" Compact Walkable Urban Neighborhoods are important