Several communities in the Heartland are requiring or recommending the use of brick and masonry materials on commercial and multi-family residential structures. The benefits of doing so range from an increased tax base to the construction of buildings that will stand the test of time. The following approaches are the most conventional methods of mandating quality building materials.

Zoning Ordinances
Passing or amending a zoning ordinance to include architectural standards is the most effective method of ensuring quality design. Ordinance language that requires a mandatory percentage of brick or masonry materials on commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential structures is the most popular method used by communities in the Heartland to legislate design and building materials. Legislated standards create a level playing field for developers and builders while providing an enforceable method of influencing future development in a community.

States such as Nebraska, which have passed statutes prohibiting communities from mandating aesthetics through ordinance form, must rely upon the use of planned unit developments and design guidelines to prescribe design in development.

Overlay Districts
An overlay district is a distinct zoning district that is used to add to or remove zoning restrictions from a specific area of a city. When used to regulate design, overlay districts can be a valuable tool. If it is not feasible to mandate the use of brick or masonry throughout an entire zoning district, an overlay district can be used to require these materials within a smaller more defined locality. They are generally used to address planning issues (such as historic preservation and protection of natural resources) that are relevant to distinct areas in a community. Although it is not likely to be the sole purpose for developing an overlay district, specifying brick or masonry can be an important element in the creation of a set of architectural standards.

Design Guidelines/Corridor Guidelines
Design Guidelines are regulations that govern the appearance of land development. Guidelines are typically used to create distinct and attractive places, and ensure that present and future development is context sensitive. Design guidelines are often applied to commercial corridors, historic districts, and downtowns to ensure quality growth and assist with revitalization and preservation efforts. Guidelines include a wide range of development elements, often including the use of brick and masonry materials as a requirement. Although guidelines are essentially discretionary statements used to guide land development, they are a helpful tool when communicating a vision and desired level of quality.

Planned Unit Developments
A Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a regulation used to encourage or allow the creative and imaginative design of commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments. The flexibility allowed by the use of a PUD permits developers to use elements not normally required in traditional developments, such as a requirement for brick and masonry materials, as well as other architectural amenities. In exchange for a better planned development (perhaps more pedestrian-friendly or architecturally significant), communities often allow greater density and site plan flexibility to the developer. PUD's are usually 5 acres or larger and contain multiple land uses in one development.