Registration Open for Michigan State University Extension’s 2026 Zoning Administrator Certificate Program

Each year Michigan State University (MSU) Extension offers the Zoning Administrator Certificate (ZAC) Program to provide training in zoning administration techniques that reduce legal risks to zoning administrators and their communities. Registration is now open for the 2026 offering and this popular program fills each year. Secure your spot soon for some great online learning and two days of in-person classes in Mt. Pleasant February 19 and 20, 2026. Join the 500+ people who have completed the program over its 20+ year history.

Participants in the ZAC Program receive a wealth of training, resources, and activities to understand all parts of their role as azoning administrator. Topics include reviewing applications and site plans, record keeping, reports, inspections and violations, and customer service. After the program (and successfully passing an exam), participants receive a framed certificate of completion. ZAC participants have such great experiences that when asked, 98% of the 2025 attendees recommend that allzoning administrators attend the program¹. According to one past attendee, ZAC is a “[g]reat program that lets you practice what you learned, educators are literally the best, the atmosphere is laid back making it easy to learn.” And another says, “You. Must. Attend.”

A recent survey of all past ZAC participants found that when compared to staff who had not attended, past participants ranked their knowledge and skills higher in 11 of 12 key topic areas. The difference was largest in “The legal role and responsibilities of zoning administrators”, “Law and court cases relevant to zoning”, and “Reviewing and issuing land use permits by right” – All core aspects of a zoning administrators’ role, key to reducing a community’s legalrisks, and part of the ZAC Program.

The 2026 ZAC Program begins January 22 with a live session via Zoom followed by two self-paced online learning modules. The in-person program begins February 19 at 11:00am and concludes by 4:00pm on February 20.

How to Register
Registration for the 2026 ZAC program is now open at a cost of $575 through December 5th at https://events.anr.msu.edu/ZAC2026/. If you would like more information, please visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/zoning_administrator_certificate_program/ or email cplanner@msu.edu.

To contact your local MSU Extension office, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/ or call 1-888-678-3464

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