Zoning

Small white wooden church in rural setting.

Montgomery County Approves ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Zoning

A new zoning amendment facilitates housing construction on properties owned by faith-based institutions.

April 7, 2024 - Montgomery County Government

Large construction site with red staircases and cranes near downtown Los Angeles, California.

California Bills Would Clarify, Restrict ‘Builder’s Remedy’

The controversial law lets developers skirt local zoning rules in cities without state-approved housing plans.

April 5, 2024 - CALmatters

Aerial view of Burlington, Vermont in fall.

Burlington Approves Middle Housing Zoning Reform

The Vermont city will allow larger residential buildings and adjust other requirements to spur more ‘missing middle housing’ development.

April 4, 2024 - Vermont Public

Riverside, California

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?

March 31, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of high-rise buildings on waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Moves Zoning Reform Forward

The ‘Squares + Streets’ plan creates form-based zoning templates for neighborhoods that promote mixed use and denser housing near transit.

March 29, 2024 - The National Law Review

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28, 2024 - Anchorage Daily News

View of Cleveland, Ohio skyline at sunset

Cleveland Planning Commission Approves New Form-Based Code

If passed by the city council, the new form-based code will be piloted in four neighborhoods.

March 18, 2024 - News 5 Cleveland

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset

Milwaukee Considers Zoning Reform

The city is looking for ways to boost housing production, anticipating a growing population.

March 17, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Black-and-white photo of street with old black model T and brick building on the corner.

The History of Racial Zoning and Housing Discrimination in the US

More than a century of discriminatory housing policy divided cities and contributed to the racial wealth gap and other social and economic inequities.

February 29, 2024 - Urban Land Magazine

Bus Station

Charlottesville Adopts New Zoning Code

The revised ordinance calls for higher density and more affordable housing.

February 26, 2024 - The Cavalier Daily

Close-up of bottom half of stroller being pushed onto sidewalk with no curb cut by person in jeans and brown shoes.

How Infrastructure Communicates Values

The presence and quality of sidewalks, curb cuts, and other basic elements of infrastructure can speak to much more than just economic decisions.

February 23, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial view of housing and freeway in Cupertino, California.

Proposal Would Link Highway Funding to Zoning

Experts argue that zoning, housing, and transportation policy are intimately linked.

February 22, 2024 - Federation of American Scientists

Aerial view of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

What Is Cambridge’s Affordable Housing Overlay?

A controversial policy is helping create more affordable housing units in the Massachusetts city, but fears of overwhelming density are likely unfounded.

February 18, 2024 - The Crimson

Three-story multifamily modern housing in Dallas, Texas.

Dallas City Council Debates Comprehensive Plan

Some councilmembers worry the ForwardDallas plan will eliminate single-family zoning, but proponents say the proposed changes are necessary to maintain an adequate housing supply in the growing city.

February 14, 2024 - Candy's Dirt

Neighborhood in Dallas, Texas

A Survey of Texas Zoning Reform

Zoning changes at the local and state levels are making it easier and faster to build housing.

February 6, 2024 - The Dallas Morning News

Aerial view of downtown Austin, Texas with state capitol dome at end of long, straight boulevard.

Opinion: Austin Zoning Reform Won’t Have Major Impact

Despite heated controversy, some experts believe the zoning changes made last year won’t make a significant dent in the local housing crisis.

February 4, 2024 - Forbes

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

Aerial view of church and houses in Richmond, Virginia.

Church Housing Movement Takes Hold in Virginia

A Richmond-based congregation plans to build over 200 units on its property, and a proposed state law could lead to more projects like it.

January 31, 2024 - Next City

Aerial view of suburban Fremont, California.

California Housing Advocates Closely Watching Bay Area Rezoning Deadline

California’s reaction to cities that fail to submit compliant zoning plans could reverberate across the state as other regions near their deadlines.

January 30, 2024 - CALmatters

View of dense multicolored historic brick homes in Richmond, Virginia.

Analysis: Zoning as a Hurdle to Affordability in Virginia

Overly restrictive zoning regulations have stifled the housing supply and driven up rents across the Commonwealth.

January 23, 2024 - Pew Trusts

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.