Zoning Regulations

Lawns and Suburban Homes

Opinion: It’s Time Zoning Laws Reflected the Real World

Current zoning restrictions hearken back to an America that long longer exists. It’s time to update codes and stop perpetuating housing segregation and inequality.

August 9, 2019 - The New York Times

Williamsburg Brooklyn

Zoning to Protect Manufacturing in N.Y.C.

Development in industrial areas is pushing out manufacturers, but new zoning regulations could help control the incursion.

March 27, 2019 - Next City

Philadelphia

'Councilmanic Prerogative' Hindering Development in Philadelphia

The legislative quid pro quo is being used by members of the city council for the wrong reasons, leaving neighborhoods throughout the city in limbo.

March 14, 2019 - The Inquirer / Philly.com

California Beach Town

Huntington Beach Sues California Over 2017 By-Right Affordable Housing Bill

When it comes to housing lawsuits involving the state and new housing laws, Huntington Beach might be ground zero. Over a week before Attorney General Becerra sued the Orange County city at the behest of Gov. Newsom, the city sued the state.

January 31, 2019 - SF Gate

Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU Construction Still Difficult in California

Accessory dwelling units should be easier to build in California, but the process is still slow and complicated in many cities, say housing advocates.

January 22, 2019 - The Mercury News

Houston Metro

What Makes a Transit System Great in the U.S.

Transit should make people's lives better, with density a key component of successful systems.

November 23, 2018 - Urban Edge

Washington DC Adams Morgan

The Street-Level Consequences of Zoning

Modern zoning practices separated uses, claiming this was a better way to organize American cities. However, the social, cultural, and urban design outcomes drastically changed the world we live in.

November 2, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

San Francisco Construction

Survey: Public Not Sold on New Supply as a Solution to the Housing Crisis

The public and the "urbanism cognoscenti" do not see eye to eye when it comes to housing policy. A new survey makes the disconnect in opinions on matters of supply, regulations, and affordable housing very clear.

October 23, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

San Francisco city

San Francisco’s Housing Woes: How the Past Informs the Present

A zoning history dating back to the 19th century still has significant impacts on the city’s housing in the present day.

October 1, 2018 - Collectors Weekly

Berkeley Hills Bay Area

Editorial Exposes Bay Area Housing Hypocrisy

Cities can't have it both ways on the housing crisis, asserts an SF Chronicle editorial. Case in point: Berkeley passes a resolution to declare homelessness a state of emergency while opposing legislation to allow BART to develop its parking lots.

June 1, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

BART Train

BART's Transit-Oriented Development Bill Sets Disturbing Precedent, Says APA

AB 2923, which would allow the Bay Area Rapid Transit District to rezone their properties near stations for transit-oriented development, passed its first committee. The California chapter of APA objects to the preemption of local land use authority.

April 23, 2018 - California Chapter of American Planning Association

Staten Island

New Staten Island Zoning Rules Would Prohibit Most Development in Flood-Prone Areas

An article in Crain's Business New York calls the new zoning rules proposed for neighborhoods in Staten Island a "back to nature" scheme.

July 10, 2017 - Crain's New York Business

Seattle Skyline from Kerry Park

Proposed Regulations to Create Affordable Housing for Seattle's Uptown

Draft ordinance regulating urban design in Seattle's Uptown would mean big changes for the neighborhood’s affordable housing requirements.

May 1, 2017 - The Urbanist

Portland

Portland Extends its 'Housing Emergency' Until 2017

A year ago, Portland declared an official housing emergency to ease homelessness and rising housing costs. A year later, the emergency continues.

September 9, 2016 - The Oregonian

Tinkering With Seattle's Microhousing Rules Continues

A local writer evaluates the results of a 2014 ordinance that updated regulations regarding the development of microhousing. The Seattle City Council could once again revisit the regulations as part of the city's HALA process.

February 20, 2016 - The Urbanist

Pickerington, Ohio

Retail Parking: A View from Google Earth

Google Earth can be a useful tool for understanding how parking is being used in your community and to identify where over- or under-utilization occurs.

February 16, 2016 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

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