Pre-Approved Housing Plans

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The City of Lawrence is launching a three-year pilot program to develop and implement a library of pre-approved housing plans. The goal is to make it easier, faster, and less expensive to build housing in Lawrence. The program will create a portfolio of housing plans that have been reviewed and approved by the City. Once a plan is pre-approved, a property owner or builder can determine whether it is eligible for a particular property, download the plan, and proceed through a streamlined permitting process rather than beginning the plan review process from scratch.

The City has contracted with Pattern Zones to develop the program, including pre-approved construction plans, a web-based platform that connects plans to local zoning and parcel information, and the processes and resources needed to operate the program. Architectural services will be provided by MBL Planning, a firm licensed to practice architecture in Kansas.

Community Input

The City will work with Pattern Zones, local builders, and community members throughout this process to identify plans that are appropriate for Lawrence's neighborhoods, housing needs, lot conditions, and development patterns.

  • Pattern Zones will begin with neighborhood tours and research to understand Lawrence's existing housing stock, lot conditions, and architectural character.
  • The City and Pattern Zones will work with local builders and community members to review potential plans before they are adapted.
  • Two builder focus groups will be held during the process. The first will review shortlisted plans and provide feedback about constructability and market needs. The second will review near-final plans and the program itself.

This process is intended to ensure that the resulting plans are useful for builders and appropriate for Lawrence, rather than simply importing a generic set of designs from another community.

Join our virtual focus group! We’re seeking input on potential plans and how well they meet Lawrence’s housing needs, lot conditions, and construction realities. Your feedback will help shape the plans and program before launch. Questions and discussion are welcome!

What Happens After Three Years

At the end of the initial three-year pilot period, the City will evaluate the pilot's effectiveness and determine whether to continue, discontinue, modify, and/or expand the program.

The City of Lawrence is launching a three-year pilot program to develop and implement a library of pre-approved housing plans. The goal is to make it easier, faster, and less expensive to build housing in Lawrence. The program will create a portfolio of housing plans that have been reviewed and approved by the City. Once a plan is pre-approved, a property owner or builder can determine whether it is eligible for a particular property, download the plan, and proceed through a streamlined permitting process rather than beginning the plan review process from scratch.

The City has contracted with Pattern Zones to develop the program, including pre-approved construction plans, a web-based platform that connects plans to local zoning and parcel information, and the processes and resources needed to operate the program. Architectural services will be provided by MBL Planning, a firm licensed to practice architecture in Kansas.

Community Input

The City will work with Pattern Zones, local builders, and community members throughout this process to identify plans that are appropriate for Lawrence's neighborhoods, housing needs, lot conditions, and development patterns.

  • Pattern Zones will begin with neighborhood tours and research to understand Lawrence's existing housing stock, lot conditions, and architectural character.
  • The City and Pattern Zones will work with local builders and community members to review potential plans before they are adapted.
  • Two builder focus groups will be held during the process. The first will review shortlisted plans and provide feedback about constructability and market needs. The second will review near-final plans and the program itself.

This process is intended to ensure that the resulting plans are useful for builders and appropriate for Lawrence, rather than simply importing a generic set of designs from another community.

Join our virtual focus group! We’re seeking input on potential plans and how well they meet Lawrence’s housing needs, lot conditions, and construction realities. Your feedback will help shape the plans and program before launch. Questions and discussion are welcome!

What Happens After Three Years

At the end of the initial three-year pilot period, the City will evaluate the pilot's effectiveness and determine whether to continue, discontinue, modify, and/or expand the program.

Page last updated: 10 Nov 2026, 11:53 AM