Zoning Codes

Historic turn of 20th century building in downtown Galveston, Texas with red streetcar passing by and large cruise ship visible in background.

A Historic Texas Beach Town Faces Existential Growth Questions

Galveston, Texas is growing — and so are questions about its land use strategy.

March 23, 2026 - Houston Chronicle

Large building for Microsoft data center under construction with cranes and heavy equipment in flat treeless field in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin.

Madison Advances Data Center Moratorium

The mayor and city leaders could pause new zoning certificates for data centers for a year while it codifies them into its zoning regulations.

December 15, 2025 - Isthmus

View of residential neighborhood with large trees and mountains in background in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Salt Lake City Slashes Lot Size, Parking Requirements for Middle Housing Zones

A new ordinance alters regulations for middle housing zones, removing barriers that made multifamily development impractical or too expensive.

December 12, 2025 - Building Salt Lake

Large building under construnction in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia at sunset.

Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code

A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.

July 3, 2025 - Charlottesville Tomorrow

Woman taping up a brown paper package with rack of clothing in background.

New Jersey Bill Would Ease Permitting for Home-Based Businesses

The proposed law would eliminate the need for home-based business owners to undergo a review by their local zoning boards to encourage small entrepreneurship.

July 23, 2024 - 70 and 73

Close-up of colorful zoning map of unidentified city.

How a National Zoning Atlas Can Clarify a Legal Patchwork

A massive effort is underway to compile local zoning regulations and other laws that impact how and where housing is built.

February 1, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

View of Boston from Bunker Hill with statue in foreground

Boston to Begin Zoning Code Update, Mayor Announces

It’s been nearly 60 years, but the city of Boston is finally ready to do a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code.

September 14, 2023 - The Boston Globe

Aerial view of Columbus, Ohio skyline with river in foreground

Columbus Set to Reform Zoning Code

City officials want to streamline the permitting process for developers looking to build housing.

September 7, 2023 - The Columbus Dispatch

Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville Comprehensive Plan Update Attracts Opponents

An updated version of the Charlottesville comprehensive plan update is now available for public comment, and a recent article in the local paper lets plan opponents air their grievances.

August 30, 2023 - The Daily Progress

A map of zoning codes in the Michigan city of Traverse City.

ADUs, Minimum Lot Sizes, and Quadplexes Under Discussion in Traverse City

Zoning changes for everything from housing density to minimum lot sizes are under consideration for a city on the shores of Lake Michigan.

August 29, 2023 - The Ticker

Alaska

Proposed Zoning Consolidation Scaled Back in Anchorage

A revised, scaled-back version of a zoning reform effort in Anchorage would concentrate the proposed consolidation of residential zoning districts in one part of the city.

August 21, 2023 - Anchorage Daily News

An aerial view of downtown Iowa City.

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.

August 21, 2023 - The Gazette

An aerial view of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, with rolling hills and autumn foliage in the background.

Missing Middle Housing Reforms Coming to East Tennessee

With the cost of housing around Knoxville, Tennessee rising, elected officials and political candidates are looking for new ways to allow residential density.

August 13, 2023 - Knox News

Apartment buildings in San Diego, California

San Diego Planning Commission Rejects Voluntary State Density Law

The density-enabling mechanisms of the California law Senate Bill 10 are too much for San Diego’s citizen planners.

August 10, 2023 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

An aerial view of the Anchorage metropolitan area shows sprawling development surrounded by tall mountains.

Anchorage Considering Consolidation of Residential Districts

If changes to Title 21 of the city’s municipal code are approved, Anchorage could go from having 15 types of residential zoning to one.

August 9, 2023 - Alaska Journal of Commerce

Teal and blue two-story houses in Seattle's historic Queen Anne neighborhood

Opinion: Form-Based Codes Could Harm Seattle’s Housing Affordability

Form-based zoning codes can encourage mixed-use development and walkable neighborhoods, but focusing too much on aesthetic elements can drive up the cost of housing.

July 27, 2023 - The Urbanist

Silicon Valley

New Plans for Palo Alto: Updated Zoning and 6,000 Housing Units

The city of Palo Alto, a city central to the geographic and economic might of Silicon Valley, is planning a significant overhaul to its plans for the future, making space for over 6,000 new housing units in the next eight years.

July 18, 2023 - Palo Alto Weekly

The view down Main Street in Akron, Ohio

A Small Town Makes its First Zoning Update Since 1997

Mixed-use development and a floodplain overlay are the big-ticket items when the small community of Akron Borough in Pennsylvania recently updated its zoning code.

July 5, 2023 - Lancaster Online

Chicken Run

Residential Zoning Changes Make Room for Chickens

Yes in my backyard—for chickens.

July 5, 2023 - Mohave Valley Daily News

A sign on the side of a street light reads “Woodley Park Historic District D.C.”

Zoning Changes Could Allow More Restaurants and Bars in D.C. Neighborhoods

Zoning can limit more than just multi-family housing.

May 21, 2023 - WAMU

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.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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