Conflicts of interest and the Rules of Conduct

This lesson paraphrases the themes of the AICP Code's Rules of Conduct in our own words and doesn't reproduce rule numbers or exact text. Always check the current Code on APA's website for the precise wording.

Learning objectives

• Recognize a conflict of interest, including financial, personal, and prior-relationship conflicts, and respond correctly with disclosure and withdrawal.
• Apply the rules on gifts, favors, and using a public position for personal advantage.
• Apply the rules on confidential information, including information about public projects.
• Apply the competence rule and the rules on honest claims about qualifications and others' work.
• Identify the rules that protect the ethics process itself.
• Explain how the Code works alongside government ethics laws and employer policies.

Key concepts

What makes something a conflict of interest

A conflict of interest exists when a planner's personal, financial, or professional interests (or those of close family) could influence, or reasonably appear to influence, their professional judgment on a matter. Appearance matters: public trust depends on decisions that are seen as fair, not just decisions that happen to be fair.

Common sources:

• Financial interests: owning property near a project, holding stock in an applicant, or a spouse's job with an applicant.
• Personal relationships: family members, close friends, or business partners involved in a matter.
• Organizational roles: serving on the board of a nonprofit that has applied for an approval.
• Prior professional relationships: former clients or a former employer with matters now before your agency.
• Outside employment: consulting for firms that do business with your jurisdiction.

9 more sections follow in the full lesson.

Key terms

• Conflict of interest: A situation where personal or financial interests could influence, or appear to influence, professional judgment.
• Disclosure: Making a potential conflict known, usually in writing and on the record.
• Recusal (withdrawal): Stepping aside from participating in a matter.
• Appearance of impropriety: A situation that would lead a reasonable person to question a planner's impartiality.
• Confidential information: Information received in confidence during professional work.
• Competence: Having the knowledge and skill to perform work, or working under someone who does.
• Misrepresentation: A false or misleading statement of fact, findings, or qualifications.
• Frivolous charge: An ethics charge filed knowing it lacks basis.
• Retaliation: Adverse action against someone for raising or cooperating with an ethics charge.
• Government ethics law: State or local statutes and ordinances on conflicts, gifts, disclosure, and post-employment for public officials and employees.
• Financial disclosure: A required public report of an official's financial interests.