The Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Forum on Sprawl have completed a guidebook, called Community Rules, for volunteer board members, planners, concerned citizens, and others who want to achieve smart growth in their communities.

Community Rules encourages communities in Vermont and New England to promote development in a manner consistent with the long-term health of our region. Community Rules demonstrates that development can be steered on a better course in our towns and cities through improved local zoning and subdivision regulations. The guide highlights examples of communities in New England and elsewhere that have altered their local regulations to promote smart growth, and analyzes both good and bad efforts. Model by-laws are included that articulate standards to guide development more in keeping with the traditional settlement patterns in New England.

Community Rules shows how local regulations can be put to use to: