Zoning Reform
![Colorful "atx" sign in front of Whole Foods store in Austin, Texas](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_366331489_Editorial_Use_Only.jpeg.webp?itok=-igucxyM)
Austin’s ‘Affordability Unlocked’ Initiative Faces Lawsuit
A group of 18 plaintiffs is suing to overturn the city of Austin’s “Affordability Unlocked” planning initiative.
![A map of zoning codes in the Michigan city of Traverse City.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Traverse-City-Residential_Zoning_Districts.jpeg.webp?itok=AeV8ie8Q)
ADUs, Minimum Lot Sizes, and Quadplexes Under Discussion in Traverse City
Zoning changes for everything from housing density to minimum lot sizes are under consideration for a city on the shores of Lake Michigan.
![Apartment building under construction with other new apartment buildings and taller glass office towers in background in Dallas, Texas](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1495708205.jpg.webp?itok=4ld1UMOM)
New Research Builds Evidence for Zoning Reform
Cityscape has published a collection of new research building support for zoning reforms as a tool for mitigating the effects of the housing affordability crisis.
![A parking lots and homes sit on a bluff above a large beach on Pacific coast in Southern California.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Torrance-California.jpeg.webp?itok=uM6aXoN9)
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.
![Historic brick rowhouses in Alexandria, Virginia](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_130406809.jpeg.webp?itok=C_DiqDGm)
Alexandria Set to Reveal Zoning Reform Details
The city will hold a series of public meetings this fall to explain its efforts to boost housing production and affordability.
![St. Paul Minnesota](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/minnesota-river-through-the-city.jpg.webp?itok=43fbdqE-)
Missing Middle Housing Reforms Move Forward in St. Paul
The St. Paul City Council will soon consider a legislative package designed to increase the density of residential neighborhoods, following in the footsteps of its twin city, Minneapolis.
![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.
![An aerial view of downtown Iowa City.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Iowa-City.jpeg.webp?itok=JKYJ1rQE)
Iowa City Hopes Zoning Amendments Will Increase Housing Supply, Diversity
Iowa City is planning ahead to ensure that housing supply keeps up with housing demand.
![Massachusetts State Capitol](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1020544018.jpg.webp?itok=RJZ7MrjD)
Massachusetts Pushing Statewide Zoning Reforms With Steeper Penalties for Non-Compliance
Massachusetts is one of the states in the nation requiring local governments to make more space for multi-family housing. Not all local governments are willing to comply, however.
![One of the "Guardians of Traffic" in Cleveland, a scuplture of a large figure adorning a bridge in Cleveland. Downtown Cleveland is in the background.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Cleveland-Guardians.jpg.webp?itok=-diDeA2G)
Parking Requirements Removed Near Cleveland Transit Stops
Transit oriented parking reform has arrived in Cleveland.
![A sign announces the Kingston, New York Historic District](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_256579156.jpeg.webp?itok=OL4DRcAg)
Kingston, New York Goes 100 Percent Form-Based for its New Code
Kingston recently adopted a form-based code, taking the rare step to entirely replace its old zoning code with form-based standards while also repealing parking requirements and allowing accessory dwelling units and missing middle housing.
![An aerial view of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, with rolling hills and autumn foliage in the background.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Knoxville-Tennessee.jpeg.webp?itok=xcYYDypg)
Missing Middle Housing Reforms Coming to East Tennessee
With the cost of housing around Knoxville, Tennessee rising, elected officials and political candidates are looking for new ways to allow residential density.
![Apartment buildings in San Diego, California](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_74510131.jpg.webp?itok=Pyh3bsLP)
San Diego Planning Commission Rejects Voluntary State Density Law
The density-enabling mechanisms of the California law Senate Bill 10 are too much for San Diego’s citizen planners.
![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.
![Row of new contemporary rowhouses in Austin, Texas](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_434645971.jpeg.webp?itok=25PALPH6)
Report: Why It Costs so Much to Build Housing in Austin
The study highlights high real estate costs as well as restrictive zoning regulations and building requirements that delay multi-family construction.
![Craftsman-style white kit home from Sears catalog sold in early 20th century](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_516221522_0.jpeg.webp?itok=TfhHGlUk)
Where Have all the Kit Homes Gone?
Buying a house through the Sears catalog was, for a brief historical moment, a popular and affordable way to become a homeowner.
![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.
![Crosswalk with pedestrians in front of four-story red brick buildings in New Haven, Connecticut](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_2091349243.jpg.webp?itok=det-Y6mp)
New Haven Housing Authority Proposes Zoning Reforms, Land Tax
While the Connecticut State Legislature stalls on zoning reform, a local housing authority in the state is recommending an ambitious package of pro-development, supply-side policy changes to mitigate the cost of housing in the state.
![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.
![Sunset view of downtown Gainesville, Florida](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_682865521.jpg.webp?itok=yAKYPM6t)
Gainesville in Final Discussions on Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
A see-saw battle over land use and housing policy continues in the city of Gainesville.
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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