Upzoning
![Teal and blue two-story houses in Seattle's historic Queen Anne neighborhood](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_495986161.jpeg.webp?itok=4btva9Nu)
Opinion: Form-Based Codes Could Harm Seattle’s Housing Affordability
Form-based zoning codes can encourage mixed-use development and walkable neighborhoods, but focusing too much on aesthetic elements can drive up the cost of housing.
![Aerial view of large single-family homes in Vancouver, BC suburb](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_220917688.jpeg.webp?itok=2YL-nV3-)
Vancouver Poised to Increase Residential Zoning
The city council will vote on a proposal to eliminate single-family only zoning in favor of rules that would allow up to six units per residential lot.
![Small gray backyard cottage with glass door and bike sitting in front of it](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_558273730.jpeg.webp?itok=Xdi_EHpR)
ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast
In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.
![Aerial view from behind Texas State Capitol dome in Austin, Texas](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_186474352.jpeg.webp?itok=qWHCLL5U)
Zoning Reform Proposed in Austin
Proposed changes would create more room for mid-density housing and shift away from single-family homes on large lots.
![Dusk view of downtown Edmonton, Canada skyline with arched white bridge in foreground](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_241478900.jpeg.webp?itok=Sm8dlhF6)
Edmonton to Revise Zoning Code
Proposed changes could help spur more housing development in the Canadian city and encourage density increases in residential neighborhoods.
![Aerial view of graded dirt lot ready for construction and houses with mountains in background near Boise, Idaho](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_422872900.jpeg.webp?itok=N79-q5ZF)
Boise Approves First Zoning Code Update in 60 Years
A comprehensive update of the city’s zoning code aimed at making housing more affordable and promoting sustainable growth received unanimous support from the city council.
![Zoning Code Rendering](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/interior-3_Minneapolis2040.jpg.webp?itok=eZ5wt42i)
Where Permissive Zoning Codes Slowed Rent Growth
Recent analysis from the Pew Research Center identifies more support for zoning reform as a tool for maintaining the affordability of rental housing in U.S. cities.
![Texas Capitol Building](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_524837476.jpg.webp?itok=Zyg3_CGH)
Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate
If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.
![View of houses on small street in Raleigh, North Carolina against a sunset sky](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1967736295.jpg.webp?itok=fIzeBeVS)
North Carolina’s Triangle Faces Growing Pains
The region’s rapid growth and high housing costs are prompting a contentious debate over zoning changes that would boost density.
![Curvy street lined with houses in Issaquah Highlands outside Seattle, Washington](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_759849823.jpg.webp?itok=-Jy7HKei)
Wealthy Washington Neighborhoods Could Remain Untouched by Zoning Reforms
Neighborhoods with preexisting internal contracts are exempted from new legislation requiring all Washington cities to permit duplexes and other ‘missing middle housing.’
![Aerial view at dusk of downtown Austin, Texas with river in foreground](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_681676399.jpg.webp?itok=CL1o-7-V)
New Zoning Category Proposed in Austin
The ‘town zoning’ category would create more flexibility and encourage developers to build more affordable, transit-oriented housing.
![Seattle Apartments](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_255612877.jpg.webp?itok=gMIIYjRq)
Cities Need More Family-Oriented Housing
For many young families, it’s simply impossible to find affordable housing in cities, leading them to the suburbs not by choice, but by necessity.
![Gainesville, Florida skyline with tall water tower against cloudy sunset sky](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_693235636.jpg.webp?itok=xHoAm_As)
Gainesville Reverses Zoning Reforms, Reinstates Single-Family Zoning
The Florida city will be the first in the country to rescing zoning changes that would have created opportunities for a wider variety of housing options in residential neighborhoods.
![Row of white two-story townhomes with black trim](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1215239908.jpg.webp?itok=A7EKlzhS)
Zoning Reforms Slow to Benefit Renters
Households seeking lower-cost rental housing units are not seeing housing supply go up as quickly as higher-income families after upzoning.
![An image of St. Paul, Minnesota and the Mississippi River at nightfall.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/St-Paul.jpg.webp?itok=jAbQLMP3)
St. Paul To Consider ‘Missing Middle’ Upzoning
Facing an affordability crisis, the city will weigh zoning changes that would permit duplexes and other multifamily housing types in single-family neighborhoods.
![Peachtree Street Atlanta](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Peachtree_St_in_Midtown.jpg.webp?itok=pirkPqHr)
Metro Atlanta Cities Weigh Zoning Changes
The southern city’s growth is prompting questions about how to increase the housing supply, maintain affordability, and accommodate new residents.
![Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1646863174.jpg.webp?itok=5rpzyzbG)
Upzoning Modestly Increases Housing Supply and Affordability, Study Says
A new study by researchers at the Urban Institute finds new evidence that upzoning produces housing supply and reduces costs, while downzoning does the opposite.
![Zoning Code Rendering](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/interior-3_Minneapolis2040.jpg.webp?itok=eZ5wt42i)
Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan Still Searching for Zoning Alignment
The vision set forth in one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking comprehensive plans in recent memory has yet to align with the practical realities of zoning in Minneapolis.
![Row of modern red brick townhomes on street with sidewalk and young trees](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_88948273.jpg.webp?itok=Xs_YqCYa)
The Role of Language in the Battle Over Zoning Reform
Missing middle housing? Ending single-family zoning? How language impacts public opinion in the movement to increase housing density.
![Row of white two-story townhomes with black trim](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1215239908.jpg.webp?itok=A7EKlzhS)
When Zoning Reform Isn’t Enough: How To Boost Missing Middle Housing
For upzoning efforts to result in a significant rise in new housing units, cities and states must do more than just change zoning codes to ensure missing middle housing is easy and affordable to build.
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
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