Glossary of Acronyms

Every industry uses acronyms, but very few rely on them to the extent the land use industry does. Here's a quick cheat sheet of the most common land use acronyms. If we've missed something, let us know at editor@northwesthub.org.

ABA - American Bar Association

AIA - American Institute of Architects

APA - American Planning Association

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers

BFE - Base Flood Elevation

BLA - Boundary Line Adjustment

BLM - Bureau of Land Management

CAO - Critical Areas Ordinance

CIP - Capital Improvement Program

COD - Cultural Overlay District

DNS - Determination of Non-Significance

EIS - Environmental Impact Statement

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

FAR - Floor Area Ration

GMA - Growth Management Act

ITE - Institute of Traffic Engineers

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

MPO - Metropolitan Planning Organization

NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act

NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program

NLC - National League of Cities

NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

PLA - Property Line Adjustment

PSRC - Puget Sound Regional Council

RPZ - Restricted Parking Zone

SEPA - State Environmental Policy Act

SHPO - State Historic Preservation Office

SMA - Shoreline Management Act

SMP - Stormwater Master Plan

TIP - Transportation Improvement Program

TMDL - Total Maximum Daily Load

TOTZ - Time of Travel Zone

TSP - Transportation Strategic Plan

UGB - Urban Growth Boundary

UGMC - Urban Growth Management Council

USGBC - U.S. Green Building Council