Norman property owners and renters have five days to shape the city's next set of zoning and subdivision rules.

The city released a Development Code Assessment and is collecting public feedback, according to an announcement on the city's website. Two open houses are set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Conference Room A of the Development Center, 225 N. Webster Ave. The first runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

At both sessions, residents can ask questions about the recommended changes and offer feedback that will feed into the code-writing phase, the Norman Transcript reported.

The development code governs the city's zoning and subdivision regulations. The assessment is an early step in a broader Development Code Update that the city expects to finish by the end of 2027.

Lora Hoggatt, planning services manager for the city, said in the Sept. 25 announcement that the assessment identifies where current regulations could be improved and outlines approaches that will guide the drafting process. The assessment draws on the current code, the AIM Norman Comprehensive Plan and related city policies.

The city listed four goals for the update in its announcement: implementing the AIM Norman plan through updated regulations, simplifying the code for clarity and predictability, aligning the zoning map with adopted land-use priorities, and supporting affordable housing, economic development and multimodal connectivity.

Each goal carries practical weight. Simplifying the code could make the permitting process easier for homeowners and builders. Aligning the zoning map with the AIM Norman plan could open new areas to housing or mixed-use development. Updated affordable-housing provisions could affect where and what type of housing gets built.

A companion parking study will use local data to evaluate how parking is used across Norman and recommend updated standards, according to the city's Sept. 25 announcement.

Residents can review the full assessment at normandevcode.com. The public comment period closes at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 16.