Residential Zoning

A parking lots and homes sit on a bluff above a large beach on Pacific coast in Southern California.

Meeting Housing Goals by Loosening Commercial Zoning

Torrance, a city on the coast of Southern California in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, recently adopted a zoning overlay that will relax commercial zones to allow more residential development.

August 28, 2023 - The Real Deal

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

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

Pacific Ocean

More SB 9 Drama: L.A. County Cities Sue California

Four Southern California cities are calling SB9 unconstitutional in the fight to retain local control over zoning codes and housing density.

April 4, 2022 - Times of San Diego

Roanoke, Virginia

How Virginia Communities Are Encouraging 'Missing Middle Housing'

Local leaders hope that streamlining permit processes and eliminating restrictive zoning regulations will set the groundwork for increased production of small and mid-sized multi-family housing.

August 12, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Back Bay Boston

What Is Multi-Family Housing?

Often discussed in contrast with single-family zoning, multi-family housing includes buildings and complexes that house more than one household in the same property.

June 1, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

Seattle Mixed Use Development

What Is Mixed-Use Development?

Long an urban norm, mixed-use neighborhoods fell out of favor in the United States in the automobile age as single-use zoning became common. These days, mixed-use development is back in vogue, but implementation remains a challenge.

February 22, 2020 - Philip Rojc

Virginia

Virginia Upzoning and Accessory Dwelling Unit Bills Killed Quickly in Committee

The Land Use subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates decided quickly to uphold local control of zoning.

January 26, 2020 - WAMU

Roanoke, Virginia

Statewide Density Increases Proposed in Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia will consider a bill that would legalize duplexes in single-family zones throughout the state.

December 23, 2019 - CityLab

San Francisco

Accessory Dwelling Units Legalized, Finally, in San Francisco

Legislation approved this week finally brings the city of San Francisco up to date with state laws approved in 2016.

June 19, 2019 - San Francisco Public Press

Manhattan Retail

Op-Ed: SoHo and NoHo Need a Zoning Overhaul

Two SoHo residents argue that outdated zoning holds the Manhattan neighborhoods back, requiring special permits or variances for many current residential and commercial uses.

June 2, 2019 - Crain's Business New York

Expo Line LA Skyline

Proposed New Zoning Around the Los Angeles Expo Line

Los Angeles' proposed transit neighborhood plan for the Expo Line corridor includes minor changes, but nothing earth-shattering. Many of the line's stations remain underutilized.

May 2, 2017 - Urbanize LA

Definition of Family Still Up for Debate in Hartford Zoning Case

When zoning codes separate uses, they require definitions about what constitutes each of those uses. The question in Hartford, Connecticut: Does a group of cohabiting adults fit the definition necessary to reside in a "single-family house"?

November 18, 2015 - The Hartford Courant

Casa Torre

Re-Evaluating Pasadena's City of Gardens Ordinance

Practicing urbanist and USC professor Vinayak Bharne examines the legacy of a progressive zoning code over the two decades since its adoption.

March 31, 2015 - Vinayak Bharne

Hartford Connecticut

Nontraditional 'Family' Questions Hartford Zoning Code

After a group of unrelated adults bought and moved into a large house in Hartford, Connecticut, they were found to be in violation of local regulations. They are asking for a broader definition of 'family.'

March 29, 2015 - WFSB

Small-Scale Apartment

Single-Lot Densification Faces Zoning, Economic Challenges

Small-scale development on single lots is an alternative to the centralized mid-rise norm. But this kind of classic infilling may not be as easy as build-it-and-they-will-come.

March 26, 2015 - Streets.MN

How the U.S. Became a Unique "Nation of Homezoners”

Exceptionalism is a word often associated with the U.S., most often with foreign policy. Sonia Hirt of VPI argues that since its inception American zoning has also taken a unique form compared to European counterparts.

October 23, 2013 - JPER

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