Registration open for MSU Extension’s 2026 Zoning Administrator Certificate Program
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EmailSecure your spot soon for this great online learning opportunity and two days of in-person classes in Mt. Pleasant on February 19 and 20, 2026.
Each year Michigan State University 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, with more than 500 professionals completing the program throughout its 20+ year history. Secure your spot soon for this great online learning opportunity and two days of in-person classes in Mt. Pleasant on February 19 and 20, 2026.
Participants in the ZAC Program receive a wealth of training, resources, and activities to understand all parts of their role as a zoning administrator. Topics include reviewing applications and site plans, record keeping, reports, inspections and violations, and customer service. After completing the program and successfully passing an exam, participants receive a framed certificate.
Past ZAC participants have noted such great experiences that when asked, 98% of evaluation respondents from the 2025 program recommended that all zoning administrators attend the program. 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.” These all serve as core aspects of a zoning administrators’ role that are key to reducing a community’s legal risks, 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 a.m. and concludes by 4 p.m. on February 20.
How to register
Registration for the 2026 ZAC program is now open at a cost of $575 through December 5, 2025, at events.anr.msu.edu/ZAC2026. If you would like more information, please visit canr.msu.edu/ZAC or email cplanner@msu.edu.
To contact your local MSU Extension office, visit msue.msu.edu or call 1-888-678-3464.
