Six months after Kingston adopted its new “form-based” zoning code, a top city official said the city is on track to meet Mayor Steve Noble’s goal of building 1,000 new units of housing by 2029.

Director of Housing Initiatives Bartek Starodaj told lawmakers that new housing projects entering the pipeline range from small, affordable “accessory dwelling units” to apartments aimed at middle-class renters who do not qualify for affordable housing but still struggle with housing costs.

“Based on the approvals to date, I am confident that the new zoning code will enable the city to meet this goal,” Starodaj wrote in a Feb. 1 update to the Kingston Common Council.

“Further, my Department, Planning, and Building and Safety continue to receive new inquiries from owners looking to develop housing in the city because of the opportunities provided by the new code.”

The Kingston Forward zoning code approved by the Common Council last year fully replaced the city’s previous 1960s-era land use regulations. Instead of zones, the new code divided the city into “transects” — each with its own design standards regulating things like building height and setbacks. The transects range from dense urban core areas like the Broadway Corridor to more suburban neighborhoods and semi-wild conservation areas.

While the code sets design standards for each neighborhood, it allows for more flexibility in terms of housing types or other uses than traditional zoning codes. For example, multi-family homes can be built in what were previously single-family only zones provided they adhere to the design standards.

A major goal of the Kingston Forward plan was to encourage the development of new housing of all types by promoting “infill development” on lots that would have been considered unbuildable under the previous code. To that end, the code eliminates off-street parking requirements for multi-family housing and clears the way for duplexes and other housing types not previously allowed.

In his letter to the council, Starodaj said the city has already approved 90 new housing units at six locations under the new code.

The new code also seeks to address the housing crunch with strict new standards on non-owner-occupied short0term rental units. The plan bars stand-alone STRs from residential neighborhoods and places a cap of 106 units — equal to 1 percent of the city’s total housing stock. The code also requires all STR owners to obtain a permit and calls for stiff fines for violators. The Building Safety division, which charged with enforcement of STR rules, has also invested in software that continuously scans STR sites like Vrbo and automatically sends violation notices to owners who fail to register.

In his update Starodaj said that 101 non-owner-occupied STRs had received permits from the city, along with another 23 owner-occupied or part-time ones.

“In partnership with the Building Department and Corporation Counsel, I will continue to ensure that all properties comply with the registration rules,” Starodaj wrote. “However, most short-term rental operators have conformed to the new standards.”