Exclusionary Zoning
![Charlottesville, Virginia](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_482204431.jpg.webp?itok=rPvdX6_Y)
Charlottesville Comprehensive Plan Update Attracts Opponents
An updated version of the Charlottesville comprehensive plan update is now available for public comment, and a recent article in the local paper lets plan opponents air their grievances.
![Alaska](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_664921489.jpg.webp?itok=reRkGhrM)
Proposed Zoning Consolidation Scaled Back in Anchorage
A revised, scaled-back version of a zoning reform effort in Anchorage would concentrate the proposed consolidation of residential zoning districts in one part of the city.
![Indian Trail, North Carolina](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/North-Carolina-Suburb.jpg.webp?itok=25MaE9EY)
The Social and Economic Impacts of Exclusionary Zoning
A new book further reveals the inequities perpetuated by restrictive zoning policies.
![An aerial view of the Anchorage metropolitan area shows sprawling development surrounded by tall mountains.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Anchorage-Alaska.jpg.webp?itok=_zzZ2EQX)
Anchorage Considering Consolidation of Residential Districts
If changes to Title 21 of the city’s municipal code are approved, Anchorage could go from having 15 types of residential zoning to one.
![Sprawl](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1411582880.jpg.webp?itok=gs3PuYzp)
Majority of Americans Prefer Larger Homes and Longer Trips, Survey Says
The percentages have fluctuated on either side of the pandemic, but most Americans prefer to live in communities with larger houses, located farther away from schools, stores, and restaurants, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.
![Row of two-story traditional wood houses in Stamford, Connecticut](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_399078744.jpeg.webp?itok=m2J8kffc)
Study Links Single-Family Zoning to Exclusion
An analysis of Connecticut zoning laws finds single-family neighborhoods are associated with higher incomes and whiter populations than the 2 percent of the state that permits multifamily housing.
![A picture of the Vermont State Capitol building with fall colors on display on trees in the background.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Vermont-State-Capitol.jpeg.webp?itok=jy5NC4QX)
Vermont Latest State to Preempt Single-Family Zoning
The approval of the HOME law, S.100, will allow for duplexes in all residential neighborhoods in Vermont. Large swaths of residential zones in the state must also now allow tri- and four-plexes.
![A spraling subdivision of single-family detached housing in a desert setting.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/New-Mexico-Sprawl.jpeg.webp?itok=Av-irh5L)
Albuquerque Poised to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units
Allowing ADU construction on parcels previously zoned exclusively for single-family detached housing is one component of the Housing Forward ABQ initiative, a larger effort to reform zoning practices in Albuquerque.
![Google street view of historic one-story Chase Bank building (now PNC Bank) in Washington, D.C. with drive-through banking kiosk](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-04%20at%202.34.45%20PM.png.webp?itok=6zS4Tkcy)
D.C. Preservation Board Includes Parking Lot in Historic Designation
The decision to protect a non-historic parking lot as part of designating an adjacent historic bank building is being derided by critics as another form of exclusionary zoning.
![Aerial view of mobile home park next to freeway in Mesa, Arizona](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_264874442.jpeg.webp?itok=k0DkZXvB)
Arizona Zoning Reform Bills Would Protect Mobile Home Residents
Three proposed bills would increase flexibility in zoning and encourage affordable housing production, particularly near light rail.
![Lakefront homes in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Grosse%20Pointe%20park%20MI.jpg.webp?itok=tFfRcWdH)
Federal and State Dollars Could Be Used to Force Change in Exclusionary Towns
Strict zoning policies keep housing unaffordable. But there are strategies governments can implement to change exclusionary housing policies and promote the construction of more affordable housing.
![Outdoor Recreation](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1195811503.jpg.webp?itok=Ymd8S3SS)
Colorado Mountain Communities Line Up to Oppose Statewide Zoning Reforms
State preemption isn’t going over well with local government officials in the remote corners of Colorado.
![Modern small-lot homes in north Dallas suburb](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1488170495.jpg.webp?itok=MJJdpatL)
Code Reforms to Ease the Housing Crisis
Ten recommendations for zoning code changes that could make housing more affordable.
![New York City Zoning Map](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/map9a.jpg.webp?itok=VIMH7RJn)
Ranking Exclusionary Zoning: D.C., New York Metro Areas Top the List
A new database measures the restrictiveness of exclusionary zoning practices around the country. Exclusionary zoning, it turns out, is much more prevalent than commonly acknowledged.
![Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1284353881.jpg.webp?itok=c3X5wKme)
How Federal Policy Can Support More Affordable Housing in Exclusionary Communities
The recently funded “Yes In My Back Yard” federal grant program provides support for local and state governments to implement housing policy reforms, but it doesn’t go far enough to undo the exclusionary practices of wealthy communities.
![Single-family homes in a suburb of Dallas, Texas](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1244206378.jpg.webp?itok=XFgxZb-y)
Is Exclusionary Zoning a Good Thing?
Some commentators defend exclusionary suburban zoning on the ground that it makes affluent suburbanites more willing to pay for public services. But does exclusion create losers?
![For rent sign with blurry house in background](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_400130668.jpg.webp?itok=sj6uajiT)
How ‘Rental Deserts’ Perpetuate Inequity
Close to one-third of American neighborhoods have very few housing options for renter households, who tend to be disproportionately people of color and low-income families.
![Treasure Valley](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_623231972.jpg.webp?itok=xV8IaZok)
Boise Backing Off Proposed Citywide Zoning Changes
Boise was considering allowing up to four units by-right on any residential parcel in the city, but has since rolled back the scale of the proposed zoning changes.
![Car Traffic](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1030416760.jpg.webp?itok=-kaAecH9)
San Francisco Just Ended Single-Family Zoning
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to Tuesday to eliminate single-family zoning, but pro-development advocates say additional changes are needed to unleash a wave of construction.
![A map showing the city of mesquite with surrounding freeways, roads, and cities.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Mesquite-Texas.jpg.webp?itok=sROG7bRq)
Dallas-Area City Wants to Increase Minimum Home Size to 2,000 Square Feet
While some cities are finding ways to add density and use zoning as a tool for affordability, Mesquite, Texas is headed the other direction.
Pagination
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.