Zoning Reform

 Red brick homes with blooming wisteria in foreground in Arlington, Virginia

Lawsuit Challenges Arlington County Zoning Reforms

A lawsuit brought by residents charges the county with failing to follow statutory procedures and provide accurate information about recently passed ‘missing middle housing’ reforms.

April 25, 2023 - The Washington Post

Seattle Apartments

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.

April 24, 2023 - Vox

Gainesville, Florida skyline with tall water tower against cloudy sunset sky

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.

April 21, 2023 - WUFT

Row of white two-story townhomes with black trim

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.

April 20, 2023 - Route Fifty

North High Street

Columbus Rewriting its Zoning Code

Planners in Ohio’s capital city hope a new zoning code will help reverse some of the damage done by the city’s previous zoning codes.

April 20, 2023 - Axios Columbus

An image of St. Paul, Minnesota and the Mississippi River at nightfall.

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.

April 17, 2023 - Pioneer Press

Aerial view of Montana state capitol building in Helena, Montana

Montana Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Rescind ‘California-Style-Zoning’

The Montana State Legislature recently approved a package of zoning reform bills modeled closely on bills approved in West Coast states, including the state of California, in recent years.

April 16, 2023 - Business Insider

California state capitol building against purple and blue sunset sky

How California’s Newest Housing Laws Could Affect Housing Production

While it’s too soon to assess the full effects of recently passed legislation on housing production in the state, planners and housing advocates express cautious optimism that the new laws could help alleviate the state’s housing shortage.

April 13, 2023 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Facade entrance of typical townhouse with cherry blossom in Seattle, Washington, America. Colorful red siding of two story attached townhouse duplex with blooming pink flower near windows with blinds

‘Missing Middle Housing’ Bill Passes in Washington Senate

The legislation would permit duplexes and, in some cases, fourplexes in residential areas in most Washington towns.

April 12, 2023 - Crosscut

Missoula

Missoula Aims for Equity With Development Code Updates

The “Our Missoula Development Guide” is getting an update as the Montana deals with the contemporary pressures of population growth and gentrification.

April 11, 2023 - NBC Montana

Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky

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.

April 9, 2023 - Urban Institute

Zoning Code Rendering

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.

April 9, 2023 - Star Tribune

Colorado

Fort Collins Code Update Rescinded Due to ADU Opposition

It’s back to the drawing board for a development code update in Fort Collins, Colorado, after residents revolted against zoning reforms that include by-right development of accessory dwelling units.

April 7, 2023 - The Coloradoan

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

Boise Idaho

Proposed Update to Boise Zoning Code Would Boost Density, Discourage Sprawl

A years-long process has culminated in a proposal that would encourage the creation of affordable housing, promote transit-oriented development, and position the city for less car-oriented growth.

April 5, 2023 - Idaho Statesman

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

South of Market

11,000 Housing Units Possible with S.F. Office Conversions, Study Says

A new study by SPUR and the Urban Land Institute’s San Francisco chapter estimates a specific number of apartment units that could be built from vacant office units in the city.

March 29, 2023 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Colorado Governor Wants to Preempt Local Zoning Control

Colorado could be the latest state, following Oregon and California, to legislate statewide preemption of local zoning codes to allow for more housing development.

March 27, 2023 - CPR News

Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

Panel: Minneapolis Zoning Updates Should Reflect Mixed-Use Future

A discussion of post-pandemic changes in work and commuting concluded that the city’s overhaul of its zoning code should be less restrictive with land uses.

March 24, 2023 - MinnPost

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

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