Raleigh, North Carolina is the latest city in the United States to relax zoning restrictions in residential neighborhoods as a component of a housing affordability strategy.
"Duplexes and townhomes will now be legal to build by right throughout most of [Raleigh]," reports Anna Johnson.
The Raleigh City Council voted 6-1 to approve the new rules on Tuesday night earlier this week. The changes will "allow different types of housing in traditionally single-family neighborhoods without a rezoning."
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who campaigned on a pro-development housing affordability strategy in 2019, is quoted in an earlier article by Johnson describing the intended goal of the approved rule changes:
“We empathized there would have to be some change to zoning to allow for more housing choice, especially what I call gentle density,” she said. “This is what I call gentle density, and it will allow for more homes to be built in our city. It’s a positive thing.”
Planetizne picked up news of Raleigh's ongoing planning and zoning reform efforts in June, when the topic was parking requirements—after the council voted 6-1 (again) to begin the process of removing parking minimums and changing parking maximums around the city. Planetizen also previewed Raleigh's work toward legalizing missing middle density in January 2020.
Raleigh's zoning and planning reform efforts follow closely on the heals of similar news from Charlotte, in the same state, and Charlottesville, in neighboring Virginia.
FULL STORY: Raleigh approves ‘gentle density’ measure to add duplexes, townhomes to neighborhoods
How Zoning Reform Could Ease Montana's Housing Crunch
A new report recommends increased production of 'missing middle housing' in Montana, which, like other Western states, is experiencing rapid growth and an increasingly tight housing market.
Missing Middle Housing Reforms Coming to East Tennessee
With the cost of housing around Knoxville, Tennessee rising, elected officials and political candidates are looking for new ways to allow residential density.
Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature
Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie