Fort Wayne Proposes Mixed Residential Zoning District

A proposed amendment would let developers combine single-family homes, townhomes, tiny homes and pocket neighborhoods within one subdivision.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a flat residential lot with a tiny house, a cluster of small cottages, and a townhome block side by side in one subdivision. — Fort Wayne and Allen County planners propose a Mixed Residential Zoning District letting developers combine single-family homes, townhomes, and tiny homes in one subdivision. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you support allowing tiny homes and pocket neighborhoods in your neighborhood?

The Department of Planning Services for Fort Wayne and Allen County has initiated a zoning amendment creating a new Mixed Residential Zoning District. The amendment would allow developers to offer traditional single-family homes, townhomes, container homes, tiny homes and pocket neighborhoods in the same neighborhood or subdivision.

Why it matters

Household growth in Fort Wayne and Allen County outpaced population growth between 2013 and 2023, and household sizes are getting smaller. Developers currently must go through two separate public hearing processes to obtain variances for this type of housing, which the amendment would reduce to one.

In 2021, 67% of Allen County households were non-traditional families without children, and developers would drop from two public hearings to one under the proposal. Whether the plan commissions will recommend the amendment has not been determined.

The players

Department of Planning Services for Fort Wayne and Allen County

The local planning agency that initiated the zoning amendment and oversees land-use rules across the city and county.

Fort Wayne Plan Commission

The city body that will hold the public hearing on the amendment and decide whether to recommend it to city council.

The details

Developers would be able to use the amendment for infill opportunities in Fort Wayne or greenfield opportunities in unincorporated Allen County. Any compact dwelling or tiny home development would still require a public hearing before approval.

Dec. 7: Fort Wayne Plan Commission public hearing on the amendment.
Dec. 10: Allen County Plan Commission public hearing on the amendment.
Dec. 14 and 17: Plan commissions decide whether to recommend the amendment to county commissioners and city council.
January 2027: Allen County Board of Commissioners and Fort Wayne City Council could consider adopting the new district.
February 2027: The new district could go into effect.

Market Landscape

The amendment responds to household growth outpacing population growth in Fort Wayne and Allen County between 2013 and 2023, a shift toward smaller households. It positions local zoning to accommodate compact and mixed housing types that the current variance process makes costly for developers.

If adopted, developers could build a mix of single-family homes, townhomes and tiny homes in one subdivision with a single public hearing. Buyers in newer subdivisions could see a wider range of housing options and sizes.

The takeaway

Residents interested in how the amendment could affect housing options can follow the December plan commission hearings, where public comment is taken before any recommendation.

What happens next

The Fort Wayne Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on Dec. 7, and the Allen County Plan Commission on Dec. 10, before the commissions decide on Dec. 14 and 17 whether to recommend the amendment.