What does R-3 zoning mean in Lawrence?

R-3 (Residential Medium Density) is one of Lawrence's five graduated residential districts, permitting duplex and small multifamily development at a density between the single-family-oriented R-1/R-2 districts and the higher-density R-4/R-5 districts.

What is the U-KU district in Lawrence?

U-KU is Lawrence's University district covering the University of Kansas campus, with development standards tailored to campus land use rather than the city's standard residential or commercial categories; the Haskell Indian Nations University campus is addressed separately in the code.

How do I find the zoning for a property in Lawrence?

Planning & Development Services maintains the official zoning map and a Land Development Code user guide; the Municode-hosted Lawrence City Code then provides the full district-specific standards.

Lawrence, Kansas · city zoning districts · 18 districts

Lawrence, KS zoning map & districts

Lawrence's zoning and subdivision rules are consolidated in the Land Development Code (LDC), administered by Planning & Development Services (PDS), with the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission reviewing rezonings before City Commission approval. The LDC uses a graduated residential system (R-1 through R-5, lowest to highest density) and three mixed-use districts (M-1 through M-3, scaled from small neighborhood centers to full commercial corridors), alongside standard commercial, downtown, and industrial categories.

The code Lawrence Land Development Code

Lawrence zoning map

Lawrence's Planning & Development Services (PDS) publishes the Land Development Code and a public-facing user guide, and maintains the zoning map; the Municode-hosted City Code carries the full ordinance text.

There is no link to the official map here yet — confirm current district boundaries directly with the Lawrence planning or zoning department.

A published summary is never the authority. The adopted ordinance and the city's official zoning map govern, and both change — verify the district and every standard on your parcel before you rely on it.

How zoning works in Lawrence

Home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence's LDC includes a dedicated University district (U-KU) recognizing KU's distinct campus development pattern, and the code separately accounts for Haskell's campus context; the LDC also has a Multi-Dwelling Residential category historically associated with fraternity and sorority housing near campus, a recurring flashpoint as the city balances student-housing density with adjacent single-family neighborhoods. Historic District (HD) and Historic Landmark (HL) overlays, along with a floodplain management overlay, apply independently of the base zoning district in qualifying areas.

Lawrence zoning districts by family

The 18 district codes below are the ones that decide most projects in Lawrence, grouped by what they are for rather than by the order the ordinance prints them.

Key districts in the Lawrence Land Development Code — a curated reference, not the exhaustive list. Confirm against the current adopted code.
Code	District	What it is for
Residential 6 districts
R-1	Residential Very Low Density	Lowest-density single-family district.
R-2	Residential Low Density	Standard single-family district.
R-3	Residential Medium Density	Duplex and small multifamily development.
R-4	Residential High Density	Larger multifamily development.
R-5	Residential Very High Density	Highest-density multifamily district.
RMG	Multi-Dwelling Residential (Greek Housing)	Fraternity/sorority housing district near KU, distinct from standard multifamily tiers.
Mixed-use 3 districts
M-1	Mixed Small Neighborhood	Small-scale, neighborhood-serving mixed use.
M-2	Mixed Large Neighborhood	Larger neighborhood-serving mixed-use centers.
M-3	Mixed Corridor	Mixed-use development along commercial corridors.
Commercial 1 district
CC	Commercial Center	Larger-format commercial centers.
Downtown / core 1 district
CD	Downtown Commercial	Downtown Lawrence's core commercial district.
Industrial 3 districts
IL	Light Industrial	Light manufacturing and warehousing.
IG	General Industrial	General industrial uses.
IBP	Industrial Business Park	Business-park-format light industrial and flex space district.
Special purpose 4 districts
P-1	Civic and Institutional	Public, civic, and institutional uses.
P-2	Open Space	Parks, open space, and conservation land.
U	University (University of Kansas)	GIS lists the code as 'U', not 'U-KU'; campus development standards specific to KU.
PD	Planned Development	Custom-standard rezoning for larger or mixed-use projects.

Lawrence zoning — common questions

What does R-3 zoning mean in Lawrence?: R-3 (Residential Medium Density) is one of Lawrence's five graduated residential districts, permitting duplex and small multifamily development at a density between the single-family-oriented R-1/R-2 districts and the higher-density R-4/R-5 districts.
What is the U-KU district in Lawrence?: U-KU is Lawrence's University district covering the University of Kansas campus, with development standards tailored to campus land use rather than the city's standard residential or commercial categories; the Haskell Indian Nations University campus is addressed separately in the code.
How do I find the zoning for a property in Lawrence?: Planning & Development Services maintains the official zoning map and a Land Development Code user guide; the Municode-hosted Lawrence City Code then provides the full district-specific standards.

Working in Kansas? Get on the list.

The parcel layer lands in the order demand does. Illinois went first because that's where the deals were; the next state is decided by who tells us what they're trying to underwrite. Tell us where you're building and what you wanted to run — you'll hear from us when Kansas opens, and sooner if we need a test parcel.

Keep reading

← Kansas zoning — who holds the zoning power in Kansas, under which enabling statute, and the reforms that override local rules.

Other Kansas cities

The zoning reference → — every state, plus city-level district guides like this one.

Lawrence zoning summaries on this page are provided for information, not legal advice. Confirm every project against the current adopted code for the jurisdiction.