State Preemption
How Virginia Counties Use Zoning to Stifle Development
Some state legislators are proposing action at the state level as counties block development using zoning and development requirements even as housing prices rise sharply in the region.
Zoning Reform: New Politics, Same Old Challenges
The political will for zoning reforms has never been stronger. The traditional opponents of development, however, are still finding ways to push back.
L.A. Planning Department Adjusts to State Housing Laws
Los Angeles Director of Planning Vince Bertoni was recently interviewed the effects of new state planning and housing laws in the state’s most populous city.
Court Ruling a Setback for California’s ‘Builder’s Remedy’
A state court has ruled in favor of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ efforts to block a development project despite the state’s efforts to intervene.
Cities Plan to Sue Over Oregon’s Parking Reforms
Nine of the 52 cities impacted by the state of Oregon’s parking requirements changes, approved earlier this year, plan to sue to stop the reforms.
California Continues its Housing Policy Reinvention
It’s no longer business as usual in California when it comes to planning and developing housing.
TxDOT Blocks San Antonio Bike Lanes
The agency argues that the city cannot introduce lane reductions on a state road, putting a long-planned bike lane project in jeopardy and superseding local decisionmaking.
Local Control for Solar; State Preemption for Oil and Gas
A solar energy facility planned for Fairfield County, Ohio is in critical condition after local governments express their displeasure.
California Makes Planning History, Resets the Housing Status Quo
The California Legislature this week approved a historic package of bills, including a bill that allows affordable housing on commercially zoned properties and another that removes parking requirements near transit.
Connecticut Legislator Pushing for Statewide Rent Control
Extreme price hikes in the for-sale and rental markets are pushing the state of Connecticut to consider statewide rent controls like those adopted by Oregon and California in 2019.
Oregon to Reform Parking Requirements in 52 Cities
Oregon, the first state to end single-family zoning statewide, is on the cusp of another historic planning reform as the Land Conservation and Development Commission nears approval for new “Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities” rules.
Biden Wants to Incentivize Inclusionary Zoning
Traditionally the purview of local governments, single-family zoning has come under fire as ‘exclusionary.’ Now, the federal government wants to encourage cities to loosen restrictions.
Protected Bike Lanes Deliver Numerous Benefits, Study Says. But Is it Enough to Change State Law?
Advocates in Philadelphia are pushing state lawmakers to finally pass a law to make it easier to install protected bike lanes on state routes.
New Hampshire Could Permit Short-Term Rentals Statewide
A proposed bill would prohibit towns and cities from enforcing bans against short-term rental properties.
More SB9 Drama: L.A. County Cities Sue California
Four Southern California cities are calling SB9 unconstitutional in the fight to retain local control over zoning codes and housing density.
Proposed 'Fair Share' Would Assess and Allocate Affordable Housing in Connecticut
The state of Connecticut is looking to take a more aggressive role in allocating affordable housing development requirements around the state.
Opinion: California's Article 34 Drives Segregation and Cripples Affordable Housing. It's Time To Repeal It.
A little-known provision in California's state constitution enables exclusionary policies under the guise of local control.
How Cities Are Resisting State Efforts To Increase Density
Cities are attempting to wrest back local control over land use and zoning via some ingenious—and sometimes disingenuous—strategies.
L.A.'s Housing Element, Considered Among California's Most Ambitious, Rejected by State Regulators
The California Housing Department gave credit to Los Angeles for targeting so much growth before telling the city it needed to do more.
Virginia Law Granting Local Authority for Energy Efficiency Rejected Due to Housing Affordability Concerns
The state preemption pendulum swings again—this time in favor of state preemption of energy efficiency standards in Virginia.
Town of Palm Beach
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
York County Government
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Fitchburg, WI
City of Culver City
Sonoma County Transportation Authority
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.
