Goshen, Indiana
Unified Development Ordinance
What is a UDO?
The City of Goshen is overhauling its existing zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations and organizing them into a single document. This document is called a Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO. Ultimately, the UDO will be a simplified, user-friendly document with updated and consistent regulations that reflect the community’s desired development patterns.​​
Who is guiding the development of the UDO?
The City of Goshen wants to engage everyone in the update – from those who use the ordinances frequently to residents and business owners. The update process will be guided by a technical committee of individuals that frequently utilize development regulations and understand their impacts. In addition, the process will also include multiple focus group meetings with local developers, local officials, city administrators, and stakeholders from the Chamber of Commerce, local schools, and other community institutions as well as opportunities for the public to provide comments and input through an online survey and public meetings. To learn more about opportunities for public engagement, please see the "How can I Participate?" section below.
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How Can I Participate?
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Online Survey: If you wish to provide comments or input on the UDO, please take the online survey. Sharing your thoughts through the survey will help direct important items within the UDO.
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Public Open House: There will also be a public meeting in Fall 2026. This is when the draft UDO will be available for public review. Please note that this meeting has not yet been scheduled.
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Public Hearing: As part of the adoption process at the end of 2026, a public hearing will also be held before the Plan Commission. Please note that this meeting has not yet been scheduled.
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Subscribe for Updates: If you would like to receive email updates about the UDO development process and be notified when the public meeting is scheduled, please share your email address in the following box.
Subscribe to receive email updates about the UDO!
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the new UDO be different from the current zoning and subdivsion regulations?
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The organization and formatting of the UDO will be more user-friendly.
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All public development regulations, including zoning codes and subdivision ordinances, will be organized into one document.
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The UDO will incorporate graphics and charts that will make it easier to find and understand the regulations.
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The UDO will streamline the current regulations or processes, where appropriate, to reduce additional steps if they are not necessary.
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Existing regulations that conflict with other ordinances or regulations that are not functioning as intended will be revised as necessary.
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Modern land uses and standards will be evaluated and incorporated where appropriate.
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Amendments to the existing ordinances that have occurred over the years will be incorporated so they are not standalone documents.
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How will the new UDO impact me or my property?
Most people will not be impacted by the new UDO. The goal is not to create a completely new set of standards, but rather streamline standards and reduce conflicts or existing issues in the regulations. ​​
If an applicant has submitted an application before the new UDO is adopted, they will follow the regulations that were in place when their application was filed. If an application is submitted after the UDO is adopted, the new UDO will apply.
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When can I review a draft of the complete UDO?
The UDO task force will be working throughout the first half of 2026 to develop the draft UDO.​ It is difficult to share interim drafts of each individual chapter. Updates to one regulation in one part of the UDO can impact regulations from previous and subsequent chapters. Therefore, the draft document will be available for public comment in the Fall of 2026.
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How will the UDO be adopted?
The Plan Commission will hold a public hearing towards the end of 2026 and make a recommendation (favorable, unfavorable, or no recommendation) to the City Council. The City Council then has the final decision on the adoption of the UDO.
