Planning and Zoning Workshops for Local Officials Now Open for Registration

Planning and Zoning Workshops for Local Officials Now Open for Registration
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering Intro to Planning and Zoning for Local Officials workshops this spring to help local leaders navigate zoning laws, understand their roles and make informed land-use decisions.

Three-hour workshops will be held across Iowa to focus on real-world applications of planning and zoning principles. Luke Seaberg, an ISU Extension and Outreach community development specialist, said the sessions are designed to be interactive and practical.

“Planning and zoning decisions affect everything from housing and business development to farmland and public spaces,” said Seaberg. “These workshops provide local officials with useful tools to guide thoughtful, well-informed decisions that serve their communities.”

Workshop dates and locations

Each session includes a light dinner and networking time, giving local officials an opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges.

• April 2 – ISU Extension and Outreach Dickinson County Office, Spirit Lake
• April 8 – ISU Extension and Outreach Johnson County Office, Iowa City
• April 16 – ISU Extension and Outreach Webster County Office, Fort Dodge
• April 22 – ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County Office, Sioux City
• April 29 – ISU Extension and Outreach Dubuque County Office, Dubuque
• May 6 – Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale, Johnston

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for local decision-makers, including city council members, county supervisors, planning and zoning commissioners, zoning board of adjustment members, municipal staff and regional planners.

“For many attendees, this is their first formal introduction to planning and zoning,” Seaberg explained. “For others, it’s a chance to get a refresher and discuss new trends and legal updates. Either way, participants leave with practical knowledge they can use in their roles.”

What will you learn?

The curriculum covers comprehensive planning, variances, special uses, nonconforming uses, spot zoning, hearing procedures and ethical considerations. Using real-world case studies, participants will see how these principles are applied in local zoning decisions.

“We don’t just talk about zoning rules. We provide local decision makers with the tools and knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions about land use in their communities," Seaberg said.

How to register

The registration fee is $65 per participant, with a discounted rate of $55 per person for groups of three or more from the same city, county or nonprofit organization.

In addition to these scheduled workshops, ISU Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development unit offers customized, place-based planning and zoning training for cities, counties and townships across Iowa as needed.

For more information, contact Luke Seaberg at seaberg@iastate.edu or Esther Crompton, ISU Extension and Outreach communication specialist, at eecrompt@iastate.edu.

Luke Seaberg

Esther Crompton