Zoning Reform

Close-up of multiple hands holding up plate of street-style tacos arranged in circular shape.

Is a Taco a Sandwich? It Depends on Your City’s Zoning Laws

A land use dispute in Indiana points to broader questions about zoning and property rights.

May 23, 2024 - Forbes

A spraling subdivision of single-family detached housing in a desert setting.

A Comic Book About Housing

In ‘Build, Baby, Build,’ economist Bryan Caplan makes the case for zoning deregulation in a graphic novel format.

May 22, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

Texas Townhomes

Austin Reduces Minimum Lot Size

Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes can make construction more affordable and homeownership available to more households.

May 21, 2024 - The Texas Tribune

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis 2040 Plan Could Proceed Under New Law

A state law awaiting the governor’s signature could exempt comprehensive plans from environmental review, freeing the plan from recent lawsuits.

May 21, 2024 - Minnesota Reformer

View of street in small town of Camillus, New York on a cloudy day.

Rural New York Explores Creative Housing Solutions

Rural communities and small cities are implementing affordable housing solutions at the local level, while the state budget prioritizes urban areas.

May 21, 2024 - Mark McNulty

Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati’s Controversial Zoning Plan Clears First Hurdle

The “Connected Communities” zoning plan aims to increase middle housing near transit and in Cincinnati neighborhoods’ business districts.

May 20, 2024 - WCPO

Aerial view of homes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with brick university buildings in distance.

A Look at Milwaukee’s Proposed Zoning Reform

The proposed changes would permit more flexible housing development while limiting changes in historic neighborhoods and on smaller streets.

May 10, 2024 - Urban Milwaukee

Aerial view of Columbus, Ohio skyline with river in foreground

Columbus Zoning Reform Proposal Garners Varied Responses

Proponents of a new zoning designation say it will ease the housing crisis, while other residents worry about density, historic resources, and property taxes.

May 9, 2024 - Columbus Dispatch

View of New York City apartment buildings.

NYC Budget Makes Key Building Code Change

The change could spur more housing development if accompanying reforms in the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan are approved.

May 8, 2024 - Kramer Levin

Aerial view of Columbus, Ohio skyline with river in foreground

What’s in the Proposed Columbus Zoning Code Update?

A set of changes to land use and zoning regulations could help maintain housing affordability and promote mixed-use development in the city.

May 1, 2024 - JD Supra

View of New York City alleyway with outdoor restaurant seating and people walking between brick apartment buildings with fire escapes

Opinion: Why Environmentalists Should Support NYC ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Reform

The housing-oriented component of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes proposal could serve the double purpose of making housing more affordable and reducing GHG emissions and car dependency.

April 30, 2024 - New York League of Conservation Voters

Houses on green hillside in Marin County, California

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.

April 29, 2024 - Marin Independent Journal

Colorado State Capitol Building

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.

April 25, 2024 - Colorado Public Radio

Grand Rapids Passes Zoning Reform Package

The new rules aim to make it easier to build small multifamily housing developments.

April 25, 2024 - M Live

Sunset view of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline.

Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability

Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.

April 24, 2024 - Brown Political Review

Aerial view of downtown Seattle, Washington at dusk.

Seattle Downtown Plan Expands Permitted Uses

The Downtown Activation Plan shifts from Euclidean to form-based zoning to encourage more commercial development.

April 21, 2024 - Governing

Ohio state capitol dome against dramatic lightly cloudy sky.

Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production

A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.

April 19, 2024 - Daytona Daily News

Single-family homes in a suburb of Dallas, Texas

Texas Law Could Limit Local Control Over Zoning

If upheld, a Texas law would likely prevent cities from enacting zoning reform that would increase density or eliminate single-family-only zoning.

April 17, 2024 - D Magazine

Aerial view of Maine harbor town with fall colors on trees.

Maine Law Promotes Smart Growth

New state legislation encourages cities to plan around ‘smart growth’ principles to preserve farmland and open space, and use infill development to build more housing.

April 17, 2024 - Maine Public

Aerial view of multiple wood-framed buildings under construction.

Arizona Bill Would Put Deadline on Zoning Applications

The proposal would require cities to make zoning decisions within 180 days to shorten the approval process and give builders more certainty.

April 7, 2024 - Fronteras

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.

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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