A new paper studies the impacts both of specific land use regulations and land use regulations in the aggregate.
"Yet another study in a long line of others provides evidence that land-use regulations restrict housing supply," according to Emily Hamilton. Specifically, a new paper authored by Kip Jackson at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency "identifies a correlation between land-use regulations in California cities and the growth rate for housing units."
Jackson's research, published in the Journal of Urban Economics, "finds that California zoning rules and other land-use restrictions not only reduce the growth rate of new housing stock, but a new regulation can actually be expected to reduce the existing stock of housing by 0.2% per year."
The article also explains how the paper's methodology produced findings that other studies haven't found. "Aggregate indexes of regulation across cities, such as the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index, can’t measure the changing effect that a rule has over time," for instance.
For more explanation of the new research, Kip Jackson writes his own blog post for the US Centre at the London School of Economics.
FULL STORY: Quantifying the effects of California zoning rules
Needed: Better Data on Local Zoning Regulations
It's hard to connect zoning to planning and development outcomes at a national level because very little data exists at that scale.
Columbus Set to Reform Zoning Code
City officials want to streamline the permitting process for developers looking to build housing.
Iowa City Hopes Zoning Amendments Will Increase Housing Supply, Diversity
Iowa City is planning ahead to ensure that housing supply keeps up with housing demand.
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