The Rise of Inclusionary Zoning as the Preferred Housing Policy Compromise

Everything you've ever wanted to know about inclusionary zoning: its history, its position in the debate about the future of cities, and its promise as a solution to the nation's housing crisis.

2 minute read

March 5, 2019, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Washington

Cascade Creatives / Shutterstock

"Increasingly, cities are formalizing the requirement that new residential development include a percentage of affordable homes, the policy known as inclusionary housing," writes Anthony Flint.

Flint positions inclusionary zoning as a policy compromise that bridges the political platforms of pro-development YIMBYs and low-income communities and social justice advocates concerned about the gentrification and displacement effects of new development.

Inclusionary zoning also strikes a compromise in balancing the carrots and sticks of policy. For examples of carrots, Flint writes, "Given the high price of urban land, which makes housing so expensive, many cities are supplementing inclusionary requirements with direct actions such as providing government-owned land for affordable housing." A Sound Transit program in Seattle exemplifies that approach.

For sticks, Flint cites examples in New Jersey and Massachusetts: "Courts in New Jersey have for decades enforced the state’s 'fair share' housing laws, stemming from the landmark Mount Laurel decisions. In Massachusetts, under Chapter 40-B, housing gets fast-tracked if municipalities fail to maintain at least 10 percent of their housing stock as affordable to those earning 80 percent of median area income."

Writing for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Flint also identifies land value capture as the foundation of the inclusionary zoning mandate— "[allowing] the public to recover some of the increased property value enjoyed by landowners as the result of government actions like rezoning."

This feature-length article includes a historical narrative about the rise of NIMBY and YIMBY politics; analysis of the complexities of inclusionary zoning, and how it responds to a complex political environment; numerous examples of inclusionary zoning policies around the country; and frequent references to literature supporting the thinking described in the article.  

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in Land Lines

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business