Suburbia isn't an accident.

Devon Marisa Zuegel has written a three-story series about the government policies that support suburban growth in the United States.
The third article, titled "Exempting Suburbia," examines the preferential tax trearment offered to suburban sprawl. "As a result, it is cheaper to spend a dollar on housing than on something else, so it encourages people to spend more money on housing," writes Zuegel. "The tax code also favors new construction over renovation and infill development."
The article examines the roots of the suburban preference along three themes, as evidenced by both state and federal tax codes:
- Homeowners can deduct their property and mortgage interest.
- Profits on home sales are not taxed.
- New construction is a tax shelter.
Zuegel includes more detail on each of those claims.
Previous installments of the series include examinations of the history of government support for suburbia and the government policies that support the mortgages that finance suburbia.
Hat tip to Strong Towns for sharing the article.
FULL STORY: Exempting Suburbia How suburban sprawl gets special treatment in our tax code

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

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

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI
It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment
City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units
A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.
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.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada