About
Practical Planning Expertise for Local Governments
Code for Keys is a focused service of Anchorpoint Planning—built specifically to help communities diagnose and fix the regulatory barriers that slow housing production and complicate development review.
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A North Carolina Firm Built for Local Government
Anchorpoint Planning is a North Carolina-based planning consultancy focused on practical land use planning, ordinance modernization, and local government support. We work with municipalities, counties, and regional authorities across the state to solve real regulatory problems—not just document them.
Code for Keys grew out of a consistent pattern we observed: communities that genuinely wanted to address housing needs were being held back by their own regulations—often without realizing it. We created this service to give local governments a structured, affordable way to identify and fix those barriers.
Our team brings direct experience in zoning administration, ordinance drafting, development review, and public engagement. We've worked inside planning departments and alongside elected officials—so we understand what implementation actually requires.
How We Work
Our Approach
Practical Over Theoretical
We focus on recommendations that can actually be adopted—not academic ideals that sit on a shelf. Every finding comes with a clear path to implementation.
Local Government First
We understand the realities of small planning departments, limited budgets, and political dynamics. Our work is designed to fit your capacity, not overwhelm it.
Code-Level Expertise
We go beyond high-level recommendations. We read the ordinance, identify the specific provisions, and draft the amendment language—so your staff doesn't have to start from scratch.
Rooted in North Carolina
We know North Carolina's enabling legislation, NCGS requirements, and the planning landscape across the state's diverse communities—from mountain towns to coastal municipalities.
What We Bring
Core Capabilities
Our work spans the full spectrum of development regulation—from the ordinance text itself to the workflows, forms, and processes that determine how applicants experience your system.
- Zoning ordinance and UDO review
- Subdivision regulation analysis
- Housing barrier identification
- Development approval process mapping
- Staff workflow assessment
- Redline ordinance amendments
- Board and staff training
- Implementation roadmap development
- Public engagement support
- Interlocal coordination assistance
North Carolina Focus
We Know North Carolina Planning Law
North Carolina's planning enabling statutes, NCGS Chapter 160D, and the state's unique approach to zoning and subdivision regulation create a specific legal context that national consultants often miss.
We work exclusively within this framework—understanding the procedural requirements, the legislative history, and the practical norms that shape how NC local governments adopt and administer their codes.
Whether you're a small mountain municipality, a coastal town managing rapid growth, or a mid-size county navigating a UDO rewrite, we bring relevant, state-specific expertise to every engagement.
Let's Talk About Your Code
Every community's regulatory challenges are different. A brief conversation is the best way to understand yours and determine how we can help.