New Haven Zoning Ordinance Reform

The City of New Haven, Connecticut, acting through the City Plan Department, is requesting qualifications from a multi-disciplinary consultant team to review and reform New Haven's Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, with proposals due October 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM. This is an RFQ (not an RFP), and cost is explicitly not an evaluation factor; selection will be based on professional competence and experience. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST via Zoom (non-mandatory), and questions are due October 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The scope aligns the zoning ordinance with Vision 2034, New Haven's recently adopted ten-year Comprehensive Plan, with emphasis on housing opportunity and stability, displacement prevention, economic development, and climate resilience. The work spans four primary tasks: project administration and management; communications and engagement; evaluation of the current ordinance, recommendations, and development of a reform framework; and drafting of reformed zoning language, including zoning districts and zoning map revision. Deliverables must modernize and simplify the ordinance, promote walkable and transit-oriented development, expand housing supply, protect stable neighborhoods from displacement, support commercial and emerging industries, advance environmental protection and climate resilience, and ensure consistency with Connecticut General Statutes and applicable law. The ordinance must incorporate best practices in design standards and placemaking, feature clear language and illustrations for accessibility and ease of use, and reflect internal consistency.

The contract term is one initial year with two one-year renewal options, both at the City's sole discretion. Contracts valued at $25,000 or more require the Mayor's signature; those exceeding one year require Board of Alders approval. General liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate is required, naming the City as additional insured. Compensation is structured as a fixed maximum amount, with no direct cost reimbursement beyond the fixed fee.

Evaluation criteria are: experience with similar municipal zoning projects emphasizing equity and racial integration (40 points); qualifications and expertise of assigned staff (20 points); technical approach addressing project understanding and timeline (30 points); reference checks from past clients (10 points); and local entity preference (5 points). Responses are limited to 15 pages maximum, including title page and letter of interest, statement of qualifications with team organization and resumes, detailed technical approach, and references. All responses become public record except those marked trade secret or confidential.