Zoning Reform
Mitigating the Environmental Footprint of Sprawl
There is still time to reverse the environmental outcomes of American suburbs. Researchers in Los Angeles, considered by many to be the poster child for U.S. sprawl, have been at work on the problem for years.
Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature
Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.
Charlotte’s New Zoning Code, Set to Launch in June, Faces Tough Tests
Faced with the challenges and controversies of rapid growth, Charlotte has approved a new comprehensive plan and unified development code in recent years.
Boise’s New Zoning Code Cleared for City Council Approval
The Boise Planning Commission gave its approval to a new zoning code for the city of Boise. The City Council is expected to consider the draft zoning code in June.
Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate
If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.
Maryland City Reveals Draft Form-Based Code
With the new zoning code, Frederick aims to shift away from use-based zoning regulations.
North Carolina’s Triangle Faces Growing Pains
The region’s rapid growth and high housing costs are prompting a contentious debate over zoning changes that would boost density.
Upzoning Gutted From Colorado’s Statewide Housing Reform Effort
Colorado’s “More Homes Now” bill has been drastically reduced in scope and ambition, showing the contemporary zoning reform movement still has obstacles to overcome.
Wealthy Washington Neighborhoods Could Remain Untouched by Zoning Reforms
Neighborhoods with preexisting internal contracts are exempted from new legislation requiring all Washington cities to permit duplexes and other ‘missing middle housing.’
New York Mayor Proposes Zoning Amendments to Boost Housing Supply
After Governor Hochul’s statewide housing plan collapsed during budget talks, the city will weigh a series of zoning changes that could increase housing production and remove barriers to sustainability retrofits.
Lawsuit Challenges Arlington County Zoning Reforms
A lawsuit brought by residents charges the county with failing to follow statutory procedures and provide accurate information about recently passed ‘missing middle housing’ reforms.
Cities Need More Family-Oriented Housing
For many young families, it’s simply impossible to find affordable housing in cities, leading them to the suburbs not by choice, but by necessity.
Gainesville Reverses Zoning Reforms, Reinstates Single-Family Zoning
The Florida city will be the first in the country to rescing zoning changes that would have created opportunities for a wider variety of housing options in residential neighborhoods.
Zoning Reforms Slow to Benefit Renters
Households seeking lower-cost rental housing units are not seeing housing supply go up as quickly as higher-income families after upzoning.
Columbus Rewriting its Zoning Code
Planners in Ohio’s capital city hope a new zoning code will help reverse some of the damage done by the city’s previous zoning codes.
St. Paul To Consider ‘Missing Middle’ Upzoning
Facing an affordability crisis, the city will weigh zoning changes that would permit duplexes and other multifamily housing types in single-family neighborhoods.
Montana Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Rescind ‘California-Style-Zoning’
The Montana State Legislature recently approved a package of zoning reform bills modeled closely on bills approved in West Coast states, including the state of California, in recent years.
How California’s Newest Housing Laws Could Affect Housing Production
While it’s too soon to assess the full effects of recently passed legislation on housing production in the state, planners and housing advocates express cautious optimism that the new laws could help alleviate the state’s housing shortage.
‘Missing Middle Housing’ Bill Passes in Washington Senate
The legislation would permit duplexes and, in some cases, fourplexes in residential areas in most Washington towns.
Missoula Aims for Equity With Development Code Updates
The “Our Missoula Development Guide” is getting an update as the Montana deals with the contemporary pressures of population growth and gentrification.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
