What CODE STUDIO INC does

Code Studio Inc is a privately held planning and zoning code consulting firm founded in 2006 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and the Toronto/Hamilton area. The firm provides professional services to municipal governments — including city and county planning departments — focused on modernizing zoning codes, unified development ordinances, form-based codes, small area plans, regional frameworks, and community engagement processes. Its technical approach centers on a modular code architecture that separates urban form from use, context-based zone districts calibrated to building form and neighborhood typology, and a multi-stage process (diagnostic, engagement, drafting, final code and map, adoption support, training) supported by 3D visualization and stakeholder-facing project websites.

The firm is founder-led by Lee Einsweiler and Colin Scarff, with an 11-person team organized into two Founding Principals, two Associate Principals, three Senior Associates, three Associates, and one Administrative & Marketing Coordinator. Notable engagements include Re:Code LA (adopted 2024, replacing the 1946 Zoning Code), Denver's 2010 zoning rewrite, Richmond's Code Refresh, Durham's Unified Development Ordinance (initiated in 2026), and the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance Rewrite. The firm has delivered more than 100 code projects across 40-plus US cities and internationally, including engagements in Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Revenue is generated exclusively through project-based professional services contracts with municipal clients, secured via public-sector procurement (RFPs, RFQs) and direct outreach. The firm operates no software product, no resellers or distributors, and no disclosed subscription or transactional revenue. Distribution is entirely direct, with thought leadership, conference speaking, and award recognition serving as the primary top-of-funnel channels. No external investment or institutional ownership has been disclosed.

Name

CODE STUDIO INC

Legal name

Code Studio Inc

Website

https://code-studio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Code Studio Inc is a private planning and zoning consulting firm founded in 2006, serving municipal governments in the US, Canada, and the Middle East with code rewrites, form-based codes, and community engagement services across 100+ projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Planning and Zoning Code Consulting

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Drafting Services (541340)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Planning, Zoning, Permitting & Code Enforcement (BPAIACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH), Construction Codes & Building Standards Publishing (MPAJACAH)

Keywords

• Zoning code consulting
• Form-based code development
• Urban planning services
• Municipal code rewrites
• Unified development ordinances

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Planning and Zoning Consulting Services: Code Studio generates revenue through professional consulting engagements with municipal governments. Projects typically involve comprehensive zoning code rewrites, unified development ordinance updates, small area plans, form-based codes, and planning studies. Revenue is project-based, derived from contracts with cities, counties, and planning departments.Engagements are secured through public sector procurement processes and direct client relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Code Studio is a professional consulting firm that develops and rewrites municipal zoning codes, unified development ordinances, and form-based codes for cities and counties. The firm also provides small area plans, regional frameworks, design guidelines, 3D modeling, and community engagement services such as Code Connect meetings and Code Testing sessions. Projects are delivered as multi-year consulting engagements led by urban planners, architects, and urban designers.

Product overview

Code Studio is a planning and zoning consultancy firm offering professional services across four practice areas: Codes, Planning, Urban Design, and Engagement. The firm does not offer a software product but rather provides service-based offerings including Code Reviews and Diagnostics, Code Overhauls, and Code Amendments (Codes practice); Small Area Plans and Regional Frameworks (Planning practice); Models and Illustrations and Design Guidelines (Urban Design practice); and Engagement Plans, Code Connect Meetings, Code Testing, and Website/Social Media Updates (Engagement practice). Notable project brands include Re:Code LA (Los Angeles Zoning Code Update), Code Refresh (Richmond Zoning Update), and the Durham Unified Development Ordinance. The firm celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026 and has completed over 100 code projects across the U.S. and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Code Reviews and Diagnostics
• Code Overhauls
• Code Amendments
• Small Area Plans
• Regional Frameworks
• Design Guidelines and Handbooks

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• SE2minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSE2 was part of the consultant team that led the Denver zoning code rewrite in 2010. Code Studio's principals served in central drafting and calibration roles as part of this consultant team.
• Winter & CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA zoning code update project. Winter & Company contributed to one of the nation's largest city planning initiatives.
• Torti Gallas & PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project, contributing to the comprehensive revision of the City of Los Angeles' 1946 Zoning Code.
• Patricia SmithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndividual consultant partner on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project.
• Peter ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndividual consultant partner on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project.
• White & SmithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project.
• John Kaliski ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project.
• HR&A AdvisorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project, providing economic advisory services.
• Urban InsightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project.
• VPE Public RelationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project, providing public relations and communications support.
• Tebo Environmental ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Los Angeles Re:Code LA project, providing environmental consulting services.
• T. G. Allen & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner supporting focused outreach to historically underrepresented communities as part of the Durham Unified Development Ordinance update project.
• UtileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Richmond Code Refresh zoning modernization project.
• Brick & StoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Richmond Code Refresh zoning modernization project.
• RKGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner firm on the Richmond Code Refresh zoning modernization project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Form-Based Codes Institute: Industry organization promoting form-based coding practices that sets standards and trains practitioners, partially overlapping Code Studio's methodology and market.

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with a large planning practice that competes for municipal comprehensive planning and zoning code work at scale.
• SWA Group: Landscape architecture and urban design firm with planning capabilities serving municipal clients on zoning, code updates, and comprehensive plans.
• HR&A Advisors: Real estate and economic development advisory that provides planning, economic analysis, and code-related advisory services to municipalities, partnering with Code Studio on Re:Code LA.

Direct peers

• PlaceWorks: Planning, design, and engagement firm providing comprehensive zoning code rewrites and community engagement for cities and counties, with overlapping client base.
• Opticos Design: Planning and architecture firm specializing in form-based codes and missing middle housing, directly competing with Code Studio for municipal zoning rewrite engagements.
• Dover, Kohl & Partners: Town planning firm known for form-based codes and traditional neighborhood design, offering nearly identical zoning and code consulting services to municipalities.
• Winter & Company: Planning consultancy focused on zoning, urban design, and form-based codes, partnering with Code Studio on Re:Code LA and addressing a similar client segment.
• Torti Gallas & Partners: Architecture and planning firm with a strong urban design and zoning code practice, already partnered with Code Studio on Re:Code LA and competing on similar engagements.
• Utile: Urban design and planning firm specializing in zoning reform and code modernization, partnered with Code Studio on the Richmond Code Refresh.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/code-studio-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/code_studio_atx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CODE STUDIO INC