A Comprehensive Survey of the Scope and Effects of Land Use Policy in California

A survey of land use policies in cities and counties of California is designed to inform a more complete understanding of the housing market, sustainability, and economic mobility in the state.

1 minute read

February 6, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


California Houses

Frantik at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons

"The Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley has published the California Land Use Data Set, a comprehensive survey which looks at policies that affect the production, location, and preservation of housing in the state at the jurisdiction-level," according to an announcement from the University of California, Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

The survey collected data from August 2017 to October 2018, working in partnership with the California Department of Housing and Community Development. "The data set includes survey responses from 252 cities and 19 unincorporated county areas, and touches on issues from how land is zoned for different uses to the process a project goes through to get approved to policies aimed at producing affordable housing."

The survey "considers the effects of local land use policy on the supply of housing in a region, as well as its effects on sustainability, economic mobility, and access to neighborhoods and opportunity," according to the announcement. "It will help citizens and policy makers alike understand how cities in California are approaching the use of their land, and with what effect on the quantity, accessibility, and affordability of their housing."

The survey results are supplemented by a report [pdf] that provides several frames for understanding the results of the survey.

Monday, February 4, 2019 in UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

The Chicago Avenue Bridge when it was open, a dark red bridge in front of downtown.

Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders

The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.

3 hours ago - Block Club Chicago

People walk to a bus in Queens

NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses

Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.

4 hours ago - Mass Transit

A rendering of the California high speed rail Fresno station. Two escalators leading into the station are visible.

California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer

The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.

5 hours ago - Railway News