Does Reducing Regulations Yield Expanded Housing Options?

Outdated and onerous regulations, particularly those found in zoning ordinances, are affecting the availability of housing choice. What can communities do to expand their hosing stock? C.J. Gabbe explains.

1 minute read

February 19, 2014, 6:00 AM PST

By JohnLavey


What do granny flats, ADU's and micro-apartments have in common? In many places across America, they are prohibited.

C.J. Gabbe, doctoral student at UCLA and guest blogger at the Community Builders network explains: "Unfortunately, today’s building codes and land use regulations frequently prevent these types of moderately-priced housing options from being developed. In the 'new normal' American economy, with limited resources at every level of government, the affordability crisis will only deepen if we don’t change regulations that prohibit sensible development."

In an era of changing consumer preferences and economic uncertainty, communities should be looking to expand housing stock and lower barriers to affordability by implementing a range of common sense reforms. This first piece in a series examines how communities can tackle additional dwelling units, parking requirements and minimum unit sizes.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014 in Community Builders

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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

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