HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFP_Zoning_Rewrite1 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
Request for Proposals
City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance
Rewrite
RFP Release Date: February 16, 2026
RFP Proposal Due Date: March 23, 2026
Notice and Instructions for Proposal Submittals
One, high-resolution electronic copy in PDF format must be emailed to
BSlusarek@oshkoshwi.gov
by 4:00 P.M. on March 23, 2026.
➢ Files over 10 MB can be emailed via a transfer link upon request.
➢ Please title the email “2026 Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Proposal”
For questions, contact -
Brian Slusarek, Planning Services Supervisor, at BSlusarek@oshkoshwi.gov
2 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
A. General Request Information
The City of Oshkosh is soliciting proposals from qualified planning and zoning consultants and
multi-disciplinary firms or teams to complete a comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite. The
City’s goal is to modernize the zoning ordinance to support predictable development
outcomes, reduce administrative challenges, and reflect current technology and market
conditions. The City intends to replace the existing zoning code—not simply update it—with a
clear, graphic-rich, user-friendly ordinance.
The original zoning code was written in the 1970’s, re-written in 1996, and re-written
again in 2017 and minor maintenance corrections made over the years. Parts of the code
are no longer consistent. Effective code review by staff becomes difficult when working with
developers who are used to Oshkosh’s known history of being very efficient. The existing
code does not function in an era of technology that provides fast answers.
B. City of Oshkosh Background
The 65,000 plus residents that call Oshkosh, Wisconsin home know that the community
provides a high quality of life along the western shore of Lake Winnebago. The University
of Wisconsin –Oshkosh, the third -largest university in the state, is located in Oshkosh.
The downtown campus serves approximately 15,000 students and employs 1,700
staff. Higher education is also ser ved by the Fox Valley Technical College. With a
historic downtown, successful business parks and thriving neighborhoods served by ample
parks, the community offers a big-city feel within a small-city setting.
The main drive of the project is to establish a new zoning code that is easy to read,
understandable by the public, and enforceable by the City of Oshkosh. The ordinance should
consider form-based or context sensitive applications, creating design and infill standards
for development in the City’s urban residential and mixed-use districts, college campus,
historic districts, business and industrial parks, as well as development and growth areas, as
identified in the City’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Key to these areas would be connectivity,
walkability, and mixed-use nodes that enhance community life in the City of Oshkosh.
This zoning ordinance rewrite is intended to implement the City’s adopted Comprehensive
Plan, Strategic Plan, and Housing Affordability Analysis by creating a regulatory framework
that supports housing choice, economic development, neighborhood compatibility, and
long-term infrastructure efficiency.
C. Project Overview and Objectives
The City has a desire to develop a zoning ordinance that defines regulations using a
combination of text, graphics and images/photographs. The ordinance must ensure
predictable, high-quality outcomes that are sensitive to the character of surrounding
development, while allowing economic growth in areas where that growth can benefit the
identity of the community. This would ideally include a blending of zoning districts, sub-
categories within each district, and overlays that allow special uses for districts depending
on the district location geographically within the city.
3 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
The new ordinance should be designed to accommodate the following document design
features:
1. The ordinance needs to be easy to navigate and translated by the public, and simple to
be enforced by the city.
2. Text that is supported and enhanced with charts, graphics, images, and photos where
appropriate.
3. The ordinance must be fully functional and user-friendly in an online format.
4. The ordinance must clearly identify when and under what conditions specific elements
are permitted, and it must explicitly state when elements that may be presumed
allowable are prohibited.
5. The ordinance must be designed and to allow flexibility when appropriate, without
requiring frequent text revisions, while still providing a clear and reliable regulatory
framework.
6. The ordinance should minimize need for the user to flip back and forth between lists
and different sections.
7. Clear, concise and well defined permitted and conditional land uses.
8. The ordinance should have flexibility and a process defined for when a new or unique
land use is not on any list.
The new ordinance must specifically address the following:
• Minimize the use of Planned Development Districts (PDs).
• Discrepancies in different sections of the ordinance need to be eliminated.
• Landscaping, and other required conditions – enforcement tools for full compliance.
• Allowances for acceptable “required” building materials, with flexibility to add and
revise newer and more modern technologies
• Administrative Design Review
• Sign Code Review
• Nonconforming situations: existing parking and gravel areas
• Subdivision Code – Complete streets
The following section from Chapter 30 does not require review: Historic Preservation.
Guiding Principles
• Predictability and enforceability
• Graphic-forward and online-ready design
• Reduced administrative burden
• Flexibility without frequent text amendments
• Alignment with adopted City Plans
D. Expected Tasks and Services
The successful respondent is expected to perform many tasks for the development of the
zoning ordinance rewrite including, but not limited to the following:
4 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
1. Diagnostic Review: A comprehensive review and executive summary of deficiencies
identified in the current zoning code. This should include a review of the zoning code
against the following measures, at a minimum:
o Meeting and discussions with City Staff
o Concurrency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan
o Compliance with State and Federal laws and case law
o Overall cohesiveness and consistency
o Enforceability
o Workability for staff, developers and the general public
o Public Outreach comments (see below)
o Understanding of Wisconsin State Statutes as related to Municipal Zoning
2. Public Outreach: Conduct individual or small-group interviews and public open houses
with community stakeholders. Consider a public meeting for the general public and/or
online methods of engagement to gain public input throughout the process. The
consultant should provide a written summary and analysis of the comments made by
the individuals and groups.
3. Solutions and Code Outline: Develop an outline of solutions to the problems identified
in the above outreach and diagnostics steps. Determine if elements from the original
zoning ordinance can be incorporated into the rewrite text. Develop a working outline
of the newly updated ordinance.
4. Draft Code: Complete an initial draft of the new Zoning Ordinance. Facilitate a process
of presentation of the draft to stakeholders and the general public; ongoing refinement
of the draft based on feedback from staff, stakeholders, and citizens; and tracking of all
changes. Identify changes needed on the Zoning Map. Assist City staff with public
outreach and explanation of the proposed changes.
5. Maps and Graphics: Provide maps and graphics identifying parcels with uses and
structures that become inconsistent with proposed standards and zoning regulations.
6. Legal Consultation: Provide legal opinions regarding specific questions that arise during
the process as well as a full legal review of the final draft.
7. Adoption: Assistance with presentations to the Plan Commission, Common Council,
potential other Boards and Commissions, along with any additional revisions requested
from these meetings until final adoption of the rewritten Zoning Ordinance is made by
the Common Council.
Throughout the entire process, interaction is expected with City Staff. The detailed schedule
for the project shall be included in the consultant’s proposal, and should be limited to 12 to
18 months.
E. Deliverables
5 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
All items delivered as part of this project shall be the sole property of the City of Oshkosh.
The consultant shall be responsible for the submittal and execution of the following:
1. Progress Reports and Research: The consultant shall be responsible for submitting
monthly progress reports and research information relative to the project. The
consultant shall clearly communicate how the regulatory effects of the proposed
ordinance may differ from the effects of the current ordinance. Background information
regarding subjects addressed in the new ordinance, which are not addressed in the
current ordinance shall also be submitted by matrix.
2. Meetings: The consultant will be responsible for meeting with the Plan Commission for
plan updates on a quarterly basis. The consultant will also meet with staff as the pro ject
develops on a regular basis. The purpose of the meetings will be to establish objectives,
discuss alternatives, provide direction a nd review progress. In addition, the consultant
may be expected to attend periodic meetings of the Common Council or any other
Boards/Commissions, as needed.
3. Final Work Products: The new zoning ordinance must be provided in both print an d
electronic format. Easy-to-use charts, checklists, graphics, and images/photos within the
document are required. The consultant shall provide the following specific ordinance
products:
• One (1) electronic Microsoft Word version and PDF version of the ordinance.
• A copy of the zoning map data that is compatible with the City’s GIS System, in a
format that can be edited by the City of Oshkosh staff.
• All graphics, images, and design elements shall be provided in editable source
formats.
• All materials produced under this contract shall become the sole property of the City
of Oshkosh.
The final zoning map shall be included as part of the zoning ordinance document. The
City shall be provided with the following map products:
• A digital version/shape files of the individual parcel level for use in and compatible
with the City’s Geographic Information System, which uses E SRI platform and can be
edited by the City of Oshkosh staff.
F. Existing Ordinance
The Zoning Code is Chapter 30 in the City’s Municipal Code. The consultant will be
expected to complete a comprehensive, independent review of the entire Zoning Ordinance
to determine if items should be retained as part of the rewrite.
Reference Links, City of Oshkosh
• Comprehensive Plan:
https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/PlanningServices/Documents/CP/OshkoshCompPlanFinal.
pdf
6 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
• Plans: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/PlanningServices/Plans.aspx
• Housing Affordability Analysis:
https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/CommunityDevelopment/Housing_Affordability_Analysi
s.aspx
• Strategic Plan: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/StrategicPlan/
G. RFP Requirements
Consultants are asked to respond to this RFP by developing a proposal to fully meet the
work associated with this project. Consultants are asked to submit a concise proposal
describing their capacity to manage the project and their experience with similar projects.
Samples of zoning ordinances/rewrites and public participation plans are expected. The
proposals should include a clear outline of how the consultant will meet the objectives of
the project.
The City of Oshkosh does not have a specific proposal format; however, the City expects the
following information to be included with the proposals:
1. Contact Information: Consultant’s name, address, phone number, email, along with the
name and signature of the authorized agent and contact person.
2. Firm History: Brief history of the firm, including short case studies of similar projects.
3. Project Statement: Statement of overall project understanding and general approach to
meet project objectives and tasks of the project, description and modifications or
expansion of the information provided.
4. Time Schedule: A detailed project time schedule for accomplishing the expected tasks
and services, including start dates, major project milestones and anticipated completion
dates. Time schedule should specifically identify how and when there is outreach to the
public, staff, and elected officials. The timeframe for project completion should be
approximately twelve (12) months.
5. Examples: Demonstrate related projects that were completed for other communities
that are similar to the city.
6. References: A list of client references (WI preference) for whom the consultant has
provided similar services including name, address, e-mail and phone number of a
contact person for each reference.
7. Project Manager Qualifications: A statement indicating the qualifications of the key
person who will be assigned as the project manager and their responsibilities.
8. Budget Proposal: A proposed budget with level of effort for each member of the team
and for each major task.
9. Fee Schedule: A fee schedule for personnel involved with the project.
H. General Selection Process
A selection committee comprised of the Community Development Director, Deputy
Community Development Director, Zoning Administrator, Planning Services Supervisor and
the City Attorney will review the proposals based on the following criteria:
7 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
1. Qualifications: Qualifications and previous related work experience, particularly
related to similar sized communities.
2. Understanding: Demonstrated understanding of project objectives , tasks, and services.
3. Price: The proposed price/cost will be considered.
4. Related projects: Examples of related completed and in-progress projects.
5. Proposal Quality: Quality of requested submission requirements, including sample
materials and proposal package.
I. Terms
The City of Oshkosh reserves the right to accept or reject all proposals or parts thereof
and reissue the RFP without stated cause. Upon selection of a consultant, the City of
Oshkosh shall attempt to negotiate and reach a final agreement. If the City, for any reason,
is unable to reach a final agreement with the selected consultant, the City then reserves the
right to reject the selected consultant and negotiate with others.
The City of Oshkosh is not bound to accept the proposal with the lowest cost, but may
accept the proposal that best meets the needs of the city.
J. RFP Schedule
1. RFP Issued:
a. February 16, 202 6
2. Questions due to the city: (sent via email to BSlusarek@oshkoshwi.gov
a. March 2, 2026
3. Responses to questions posted on City website:
a. March 6, 2026
4. Proposals due to the city:
a. March 23, 2026
5. Possible interviews with finalists:
a. April 1, 2026
6. Plan Commission Consultant Selection:
a. Ap ri l 7, 2026
7. Common Council Consultant Selection:
a. April 14, 2026
NOTE: All dates are tentative and subject to change
K. Project Budget
The consultants for this project will be retained by the City. Interested parties should
provide a total cost to prepare the zoning ordinance to include hourly rates and estimated
expenses associated with the project. Please provide information on services that City
Staff can conduct to reduce project costs. The proposed budget should not exceed
$125,000 including all travel and incidental project costs.
8 | P a g e City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
RFP
L. Contact and Questions
This Request for Proposals (RFP) has been distributed by the City of Oshkosh Community
Development Department. All questions and inquiries concerning this RFP
should be directed to:
Brian Slusarek, Planning Services Supervisor
City of Oshkosh Planning Services Division
215 Church Street, Room 204
Oshkosh, WI 54901-4747
920-236-5035
BSlusarek@oshkoshwi.gov