The City of Oxford is developing a Unified Development Ordinance, Historic District Design Guidelines and a Historic Preservation Plan.

The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) will provide a comprehensive framework that allows the City to streamline planning and zoning processes through effective, easy-to-navigate regulations that will assist the public (residents, developers, and other stakeholders) and allow the City to effectively administer the code so as to achieve the community-wide vision stated in the Comprehensive Plan.

Recognizing the importance of the City's rich, lively past with an eye toward the future, the City is also creating Historic District Design Guidelines and an overarching Historic Preservation Plan for Oxford. This will ensure that the existing charm and character of the Uptown Historic District, University Historic District, and the Western College Historic District.

To make these projects successful, we need to hear from you! Use this website to take the online survey, leave a comment on our interactive map, and find information on upcoming outreach events where you can share your input.

The City currently has a Zoning Ordinance, which regulates how land can be used in certain areas, which can be found here. In light of the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan, the City has launched the process of adopting a new ordinance to develop land in the form of a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

A UDO is a form of zoning code which divides the City into districts and contains the development standards for construction in the City. This includes regulations about permitted uses, setback and height regulations, parking, landscaping and buffering, signs and fences, and the approval procedures for new construction and redevelopment.

A Historic Preservation Plan is a document designed to guide the preservation, protection, and enhancement of historically significant buildings, structures, landscapes, and other resources within the community. The plan will serve as a framework for identifying, documenting, and managing historic properties to ensure they are preserved for future generations.

As part of the development of the Historic Preservation Plan and Unified Development Ordinance, the City is also creating a set of Historic District Design Guidelines are a set of standards and recommendations used to manage changes and new construction within a designated historic district. These guidelines will help ensure that the historic character, architectural integrity, and cultural significance of the district are preserved, even as properties are altered, rehabilitated, or developed.