Zoning Reform
![Traditional single-family home next to modern home in Arlington, Virginia](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1741426844.jpg.webp?itok=-gKJmg-c)
Arlington County Struggles To Meet Affordable Housing Goals
As the region’s population swells and demand for housing grows, Arlington County considers zoning reform to boost its affordable housing stock.
![View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_42765808%20crop.jpg.webp?itok=M2Ye9ykB)
Portland Approves ‘Residential Infill Project – Part 2' to Add New Forms of Residential Density
The city of Portland is already building upon the historic work of the Residential Infill Project, approved by the city in August 2021, with a new slate of zoning changes dubbed the ‘Residential Infill Project – Part 2.”
![Bend, Oregon](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/5967557458_ffe8bf948b_b.jpg.webp?itok=u-l0CSY0)
Oregon to Reform Parking Requirements in 52 Cities
Oregon, the first state to end single-family zoning statewide, is on the cusp of another historic planning reform as the Land Conservation and Development Commission nears approval for new “Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities” rules.
![New York City Bike Infrastructure](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Hudson-River-Greenway.jpg.webp?itok=9YYXJ7fE)
‘City of Yes’ Zoning Initiative Announced to Support Business and Housing Opportunities in NYC
New York City’s new mayor, Eric Adams, has announced a new signature zoning initiative.
![Eugene, Oregon](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1125525101.jpg.webp?itok=dteIbigt)
Eugene Approves ‘Missing Middle Housing’
The city council voted to approve an ordinance that will permit more middle housing types in single-family neighborhoods.
![Aerial view of single-family homes in Atlanta, Georgia suburb](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Atlanta%20suburbs.jpg.webp?itok=lm3P0YIz)
Voters Reject Atlanta-Area Cityhood Proposals
After local activists whipped up concerns about forced density to promote cityhood for three wealthy Atlanta suburbs, residents voted to remain in unincorporated Cobb County.
![Arlington County, Virginia](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/CrystalCity.jpg.webp?itok=DdyH7z0t)
Zoning Reform Gains Momentum in Northern Virginia
Arlington County and Alexandria are moving forward with actions that could potentially launch a new era of planning and development in their respective communities.
![Multi-Family Housing](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_387382960.jpg.webp?itok=1UfBJ5OY)
Zoning Reform Works, but Is No Magic Bullet
Improving housing affordability and boosting housing production requires more than just eliminating single-family zoning.
![Aerial view of West Chester, Pennsylvania](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/West%20Chester%20PA.jpg.webp?itok=EZcDhslz)
Record Number of Homes Built in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Chester County, one of the state’s wealthiest, saw more homes built in 2021 than any year since 2001.
![A map showing Auburn, Maine and surrounding highways and towns.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Auburn-Maine.jpg.webp?itok=jywrENVV)
The Maine City Setting the Gold Standard for Pro-Development Zoning Reforms
Auburn, Maine, a city of 20,000 residents, has plans to add enough housing to increase its population by 25 percent by 2025.
![Shuttered strip mall in Niland, California](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Strip%20mall.jpg.webp?itok=fM-asUcb)
Strip Malls as a Housing Solution
The American strip mall may be a dying breed of commercial development, but could the buildings serve a new use as sustainable housing?
![Urban Solar Power](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_515338129.jpg.webp?itok=3nYaE7sU)
Zoning Stands in the Way of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is cheap as ever, but zoning isn’t keeping up with the market.
![State Capital of Utah](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_538780102.jpg.webp?itok=_yp6h5P_)
Affordable Housing Proposal Faces Backlash in Salt Lake City
A public hearing last week revealed widespread opposition to a plan to loosen density and height limits and reduce parking requirements to encourage more developers to build affordable housing.
![Single-Family Housing Construction](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_122498086.jpg.webp?itok=Qo6NIwkj)
New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.
![Twin Cities](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_741890836.jpg.webp?itok=l8MIKkBE)
Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.
![Silicon Valley](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_685367242.jpg.webp?itok=s_3OsOjX)
San Jose Declines To Join Lawsuit Against State Zoning Law
A San Jose City Council committee rejected a motion to join other cities in opposing Senate Bill 9, which permits lot subdivision in an effort to boost housing affordability.
![View of homes in Boise, Idaho](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Boise%20Idaho.jpg.webp?itok=i7zX8BJG)
Boise Launches Accessory Dwelling Unit and ‘Moveable Tiny Home’ Pilots
The city moved to loosen restrictions on accessory dwelling units and other forms of innovative housing solutions.
![Kennebec River](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1350263285.jpg.webp?itok=X4OVEYiQ)
Maine Passes Zoning Reform Laws
The state legislature passed two bills, one supporting accessory dwelling units and another incentivizing adaptive reuse, aimed at boosting housing affordability.
![View of San Diego neighborhood](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/San%20Diego%20neighborhood.jpg.webp?itok=coGb7b70)
San Diego To Consider Upzoning in College Area
Local residents worry that city proposals to increase density will harm neighborhood character, while the city is touting ‘smart growth’ as the goal.
![Portland Maine](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_303301688.jpg.webp?itok=mqFez8im)
Maine Looks To Legalize ‘Missing Middle Housing’
Maine could become the third state to eliminate single-family-only zoning to encourage light density increases in residential areas and make it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units.
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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