The 2026 FGI Code for Planning and Design of Residential Care and Support Settings introduces important revisions affecting resident rooms, dining environments, functional programming, building systems, and care delivery models. While code requirements establish minimum standards for health, safety, and welfare, successful projects increasingly require planning beyond minimum compliance. This session examines several of the most significant revisions within the 2026 code, including the new requirement for 90% single-occupancy resident rooms, updated dining space standards, and the introduction of setting typologies through the Functional Program. Presenters will explore the evidence, stakeholder perspectives, and decision-making processes that informed these changes, providing attendees with insight into how minimum standards are established and refined. Additional discussion will highlight new electrical planning tables and HVAC Level 1 and Level 2 designations that improve usability and accessibility of the code document. Through real-world examples and lessons learned from the code development process, attendees will gain practical strategies for leveraging evidence, stakeholder engagement, and future-focused planning to create residential settings that not only comply with code requirements but also anticipate evolving consumer expectations and operational needs.