The inventor of the term missing middle housing has advice on writing zoning codes that effectively deliver on the potential of the tool.
According to a February article by Dan Parolek, recent legislative efforts to legalize missing middle housing (e.g., the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Oregon’s HB 2001) illustrate how “Missing Middle Housing can go a long way toward meeting housing needs in a variety of places.”
Parolek, credited with coining the term missing middle housing, writes here to offer a few tips to ensure that zoning changes designed to make new space fo missing middle housing will achieve the desired goals of increasing the number of housing units, addressing the high cost of housing, and not letting that new density also mean huge new buildings.
Parolek lists six tips in total, listed here, but also with a lot more detail in the source article.
- Regulate maximum building envelope/form & scale rather than number of units/density
- Carefully regulate building width and depth
- Be careful about allowed height
- Do not allow townhouses or single-family detached homes in which the ground floor is mostly parking
- Some single-family contexts are better than others for Missing Middle Housing
- Communication and framing tips
FULL STORY: Best practices for ending exclusive single-family zoning
Missing Middle Density Will Take More Than Zoning Changes
Looking for change in the housing supply? "Don't stop at the zoning code and think you're done. There's so much work left to do."
Zoning Reforms Underwhelm in Minneapolis as Development Market Holds Course
As one of the first city's to comprehensively allow for residential density, Minneapolis was probably hoping for more than what it's achieved so far.
'Making Room Housing Program' Would Allow New Density in Vancouver
Duplexes, rowhouses, and small apartment buildings will be on the zoning menu for "housing choice neighborhoods" around Vancouver, thanks to the city's new "Making Room Housing Program."
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie