Exclusionary Zoning

Charlottesville, Virginia

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.

August 30, 2023 - The Daily Progress

Alaska

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.

August 21, 2023 - Anchorage Daily News

Indian Trail, North Carolina

The Social and Economic Impacts of Exclusionary Zoning

A new book further reveals the inequities perpetuated by restrictive zoning policies.

August 14, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

An aerial view of the Anchorage metropolitan area shows sprawling development surrounded by tall mountains.

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.

August 9, 2023 - Alaska Journal of Commerce

Sprawl

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.

August 3, 2023 - Pew Research Center

Row of two-story traditional wood houses in Stamford, Connecticut

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.

June 12, 2023 - Governing

A picture of the Vermont State Capitol building with fall colors on display on trees in the background.

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.

June 7, 2023 - VTDigger

A spraling subdivision of single-family detached housing in a desert setting.

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.

June 6, 2023 - Albuquerque Journal

Google street view of historic one-story Chase Bank building (now PNC Bank) in Washington, D.C. with drive-through banking kiosk

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.

June 5, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

Aerial view of mobile home park next to freeway in Mesa, Arizona

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.

May 17, 2023 - Arizona Mirror

Lakefront homes in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

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.

May 17, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Outdoor Recreation

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.

April 6, 2023 - Vail Daily

Modern small-lot homes in north Dallas suburb

Code Reforms to Ease the Housing Crisis

Ten recommendations for zoning code changes that could make housing more affordable.

April 3, 2023 - Congress For New Urbanism

New York City Zoning Map

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.

March 22, 2023 - The Eviction Lab

Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign

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.

January 30, 2023 - Urban Institute

Single-family homes in a suburb of Dallas, Texas

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?

January 3, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

For rent sign with blurry house in background

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.

August 8, 2022 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Treasure Valley

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.

July 14, 2022 - Boise Dev

Car Traffic

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.

June 29, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

A map showing the city of mesquite with surrounding freeways, roads, and cities.

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.

June 29, 2022 - The Dallas Morning News

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