AICP Code of Ethics 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A planner is asked to provide expert testimony supporting a position they believe is factually incorrect. The AICP Code requires the planner to:
- Decline to provide testimony that contradicts their professional judgment (Correct answer)
- Provide the testimony as requested since the client is paying
- Provide the testimony but add a disclaimer
- Testify and then file a complaint afterward
Correct answer: Decline to provide testimony that contradicts their professional judgment
Planners must only provide testimony and opinions that reflect their genuine professional judgment.
Question 2: Which action by an AICP planner would most directly violate the obligation to 'avoid conflict of interest'?
- Voting on a zoning change for a property in which the planner holds a financial stake (Correct answer)
- Recusing from a project involving a former employer for two years after leaving
- Disclosing a friendship with an applicant before participating in a review
- Recommending denial of a project despite public support for it
Correct answer: Voting on a zoning change for a property in which the planner holds a financial stake
Participating in a decision affecting property in which the planner has a financial interest is a direct conflict of interest violation.
Question 3: The AICP Code requires planners to 'recognize the rights of citizens to participate in planning decisions.' This means planners must:
- Create genuine opportunities for community input that influence outcomes (Correct answer)
- Hold public hearings that satisfy minimum legal requirements
- Accept all public comments without professional evaluation
- Defer all decisions to public referendum
Correct answer: Create genuine opportunities for community input that influence outcomes
Meaningful participation means more than procedural compliance—it requires genuinely incorporating community input into decision-making.
Question 4: Under the AICP Code, what is a planner's ethical obligation when they discover a zoning code they administer may have a disparate impact on a protected class?
- Bring the potential discriminatory impact to the attention of decision-makers (Correct answer)
- Continue administering the code until a court rules it unlawful
- Refuse to administer any zoning until the issue is resolved
- Notify only the affected community group, not decision-makers
Correct answer: Bring the potential discriminatory impact to the attention of decision-makers
Planners have an obligation to identify and raise issues of discriminatory impact within their professional capacity.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a planner meeting the Code's obligation to 'contribute to the development of the profession'?
- Mentoring emerging planners and sharing knowledge through professional organizations (Correct answer)
- Refusing to share research findings to maintain a competitive advantage
- Avoiding publication to prevent scrutiny of their methods
- Limiting professional development to required continuing education only
Correct answer: Mentoring emerging planners and sharing knowledge through professional organizations
Contributing to the profession includes mentoring, knowledge sharing, and active participation in professional advancement.
Question 6: A city planner receives instructions from an elected official to approve a permit application that the planner believes violates local ordinance. The planner should:
- Apply the ordinance as written and explain the legal requirements to the official (Correct answer)
- Approve the permit because elected officials have superior authority
- Approve and document the political pressure as a defense
- Resign immediately to avoid complicity
Correct answer: Apply the ordinance as written and explain the legal requirements to the official
Planners must apply laws and regulations faithfully, even when facing political pressure from superiors or elected officials.
Question 7: The AICP Code's provisions regarding confidentiality most directly require that planners:
- Protect confidential client information while still upholding public disclosure obligations (Correct answer)
- Keep all client communications confidential regardless of public interest
- Disclose all information to the public as part of transparency obligations
- Treat all project information as public record from the outset
Correct answer: Protect confidential client information while still upholding public disclosure obligations
The Code requires balancing client confidentiality with mandatory public disclosure requirements—neither obligation is absolute.
AICP Code of Ethics 4
A planner is asked to provide expert testimony supporting a position they believe is factually incorrect.
The AICP Code requires the planner to: