About ZoneCo
Better codes make better places.
Founded in 2020 by city planner, lawyer, and former Chief Counsel for Land Use and Planning for the City of Cincinnati Sean S. Suder, ZoneCo has become one of the preeminent zoning code writing firms in America.
What we do, and why
ZoneCo is a national leader in zoning and land-use reform. We combine legal expertise, planning strategy, and design clarity to write zoning codes that are clear, consistent, user-friendly, equitable, and defensible.
We help communities of all sizes modernize outdated regulations, streamline development review, and align local rules with the community's vision. Through collaboration, data-driven analysis, and accessible design, we turn complex ordinances into tools that promote housing choice, economic vitality, and sustainable, inclusive growth.
Most American zoning codes were inherited, not designed. They were copied from a template a century ago and amended one grievance at a time. An inherited code doesn't need defending or demolishing. It needs a diagnosis, a calibration to the place it regulates, and a clear rewrite. That is the order we work in, for a reason.
Founded on three zoning principles
- Zoning should regulate only what needs to be regulated to advance the vision and promote public health, safety, and welfare.
- Zoning should respect both existing and desired development patterns.
- Zoning should be the implementation of a plan, not a barrier to achieving desired outcomes.
Every code we write starts here. If a regulation doesn't serve one of these, it doesn't belong in the code.
How we work
Diagnose
Every engagement starts with a zoning diagnostic: a plain-language report on what your code actually says, how it actually performs, and where it conflicts with what your community actually wants. Before anyone drafts a word.
Calibrate
Regulations are fitted to the real development patterns of each district, not copied from a template. Our Development Pattern Districting method treats the city as a network of distinct districts, each with its own regulatory habitat.
Codify
We write the code in plain language, with consolidated use tables, objective standards, published timelines, and graphics that explain the rules at a glance. Then we stay through adoption and beyond.
Human engineered. AI assists. Human judgment governs.
Many are talking about the impact of AI on zoning codes. We believe the impact has been positive, and we have embraced AI as a tool to make our code systems better. It increases speed and efficiency and can be a helpful thought partner. It cannot replace the judgment of ZoneCo's professionals, who together bring more than a century of experience to this field.
As we build out ZoneCo's AI structure, we use it for
- Improving structural consistency
- Accelerating diagnostics
- Reducing drafting errors
- Enhancing political intelligence
- Systematizing modernization projects
- Preserving institutional knowledge
Partners and professional involvement
We partner with top national and regional design, planning, and law firms across the United States to deliver the best work product and service to our clients.
Code hosting
General Code
For code hosting solutions, we are proud to partner with General Code.
Research
Ohio Zoning Atlas
ZoneCo led the launch of the Ohio Zoning Atlas, part of the National Zoning Atlas project.
Sister firm
Suder, LLC
A Best Lawyers "Best Law Firm" for land use and zoning law, founded by Sean Suder. ZoneCo itself is not a law firm.
We are actively involved with or provide sponsorship to
University of Cincinnati DAAP
ZoneCo is a proud supporter of the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Art, Architecture & Planning. We regularly hire co-op students from the program. Past co-ops include Aliya Weer, Joseph Kinskey, Alexis Spurlock, Sophia Roberto, Sidney Bacon, Eli Goan, Ethan Blair, Aidyn Kinney, and Jackson Hannah.
Political integrity policy
We'd rather influence our leaders through the power of big ideas.
ZoneCo, LLC believes in fair, accessible, and transparent government for all. To that end, ZoneCo does not make contributions to any political party, campaign, or candidate.
While there is generally nothing unlawful or improper about making political contributions, this policy is our choice, born out of a belief and recognition that good government should be free of the influence of money.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what's not working in your code. We'll tell you what it would take to fix it, and what it would cost.