State Preemption
Judge's Ruling Deals Blow to California's Zoning Reform Law
Five California cities have won a lawsuit against the state over SB 9, a law passed in 2021 that effectively abolished single family zoning statewide.
Second Massachusetts Town Spurns State TOD Zoning Mandate
Marshfield residents voted down a rezoning plan that would have met state requirements for the town to allow development of multifamily housing near MBTA stations.
Colorado Bill Would Tie Transportation Funding to TOD
The proposed law would require cities to meet certain housing targets near transit or risk losing access to a key state highway fund.
New Jersey Passes Fair Housing Reform
A new law streamlines and clarifies the state’s affordable housing requirements for cities and towns.
California Bills Would Clarify, Restrict ‘Builder’s Remedy’
The controversial law lets developers skirt local zoning rules in cities without state-approved housing plans.
Washington State Legislates Statewide Cohousing Development
The new law will prevent local governments from prohibiting the development of coliving multifamily development through zoning and other regulations.
How Persuasive Are Arguments Against Statewide Zoning Reform?
A leading scholar of state and local government argues that local governments’ need to regulate business should take priority over the state and national interests in lowering housing costs. Are his assumptions persuasive?
Arizona State Lawmakers Seek to Override Local Zoning to Spur Housing Development
The proposal would eliminate minimum lot sizes, setback requirements of more than five feet, minimum square footage, and “neighborhood character” requirements.
Proposed Legislation Targets Arizona Housing Crisis
A series of state bills address barriers to housing production including parking minimums and ADUs.
Nebraska Considers State Zoning to Increase Housing Density
The bills would require cities to adopt zoning regulations to allow duplexes and ADUs.
States Preempt Local Control on Renewable Energy Projects
To meet ambitious climate and decarbonization goals, some states are barring local governments from restricting wind and solar development.
State-Level Land Use Reform Gains Strength
More state legislatures are considering stricter land use and zoning regulations as a solution to the housing crisis. Some local jurisdictions are pushing back.
Colorado Lawmakers Renew Zoning Reform Efforts
The state legislature will consider a package of land use laws aimed at increasing the housing supply and reducing housing costs.
California Cities Continue Fight Against State Preemption
Lafayette City Council Member Susan Candell penned an op-ed in support of a lawsuit to invalidate Senate Bill 9 by four Southern California cities, highlighting a recent supportive court filing by UCLA economic geographer Michael Storper.
Court Ruling Overturns Texas’ ‘Death Star’ State Preemption Bill
The Texas government’s attempt to keep bluer local governments in check has been delt a setback by the state’s judicial system.
Massachusetts Pushing Statewide Zoning Reforms With Steeper Penalties for Non-Compliance
Massachusetts is one of the states in the nation requiring local governments to make more space for multi-family housing. Not all local governments are willing to comply, however.
Colorado Erases Local Growth Limits
Colorado legislators passed a law earlier this year that preempts local limits on the number of building permits issued every year.
The ‘Necessity of Oil and Gas Drilling’
The California Supreme Court on Aug. 3 unanimously overturned a successful 2016 Monterey County ballot measure that banned new oil and gas drilling. According to plaintiff Chevron USA, the justices recognized the ‘necessity of oil and gas drilling.’
New Research Blames Affluent Suburbs for Housing Crisis
Small, often wealthy enclaves build far less multifamily housing than their larger counterparts, exacerbating the dearth of affordable housing near big cities and job centers.
Residential Zoning Changes Make Room for Chickens
Yes in my backyard—for chickens.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
