2025-2026 Smart Growth Community Planning Grant Program

The Department is soliciting applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) under the Environmental Protection Fund Smart Growth Community Planning Program from eligible towns, villages, cities, counties, regional planning entities, and not-for-profit organizations to advance the preparation and adoption of one of the following:
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A new or updated comprehensive plan for an entire town, village, or city that integrates Smart Growth principles as described in section V below, pursuant to Town Law §272-a, Village Law §7-722 or General City Law §28-a (hereinafter “Comprehensive Plan Grant”)
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Preparation and local adoption of a new or updated comprehensive plan for an entire county that integrates Smart Growth principles as described in section V below, pursuant to General Municipal Law §239-D (hereinafter “County Comprehensive Plan Grant”)
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A new or updated community wide zoning regulations (i.e., local law, ordinance) for a town, village, or city that would implement an existing comprehensive plan that supports Smart Growth principles for the community (hereinafter “Comprehensive Zoning Grant”)
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Amendment of existing zoning regulations for part of a town, village, or city to implement an existing comprehensive plan or previously adopted area plan that integrates Smart Growth principles (hereinafter “Zoning Amendment Grant")
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A new or updated area plan for part of a town, village, or city that supports Smart Growth principles for the community, and which plans may include, but would not be limited to, transit-oriented development plans and downtown/hamlet area plans (hereinafter, “Area Plan Grant”)
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Preparation of a new or updated area plan and subsequent zoning amendment update that supports Smart Growth principles for part of a town, village, or city (hereinafter “Area Plan and Zoning Amendment Grant”)
The comprehensive plan establishes the land use planning policy of communities in New York State and articulates the community vision and goals to guide official decision making. State law requires that all zoning regulations (i.e., local law, ordinance) be in accordance with a comprehensive plan; therefore, zoning and land use regulations are an important tool in implementing the goals of the comprehensive plan. Lack of a comprehensive plan, or an outdated comprehensive plan that no longer reflects the conditions and wishes of the community, can put a local government at risk of legal challenges to planning and zoning decisions. Applications are encouraged from those communities that do not have a comprehensive plan.