Is the Height Act Responsible for D.C.'s Sky High Housing Prices?

The Height Act is up for debate again in Washington, D.C., amidst an emotional debate about housing affordability.

1 minute read

December 19, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

The Cairo, an apartment building built in 1894 with consequences that influence the District to this day. | Ben Schumin / Flickr

Martin Austermuhle reports on a new of questions connecting the D.C. Height Act with skyrocketing housing prices.

For the past 110 years, a federal law known as the Height Act has set a limit on how tall buildings in the city can be. Supporters of the law say it has created an iconic and eminently livable city free of skyscrapers that can create concrete canyons and cast ever-present shadows along streets and homes.

Others, however, say there's a link between the Height Act and the quickly rising cost of rent in the nation's capital.

The article includes a primer on the D.C. Height Act, which includes a few surprises if you've ever been privy to some of the (false) folklore on the subject. Also included are sections devoted to discussing the height act with Christopher Leinberger, prominent local supporters of the height act, and the ongoing debate about how to control housing prices in the District—Height Act reform or not.

FULL STORY: Low Skyline, High Prices: Would Taller Buildings Help Make Housing Cheaper In D.C.?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in WAMU

Housing Land Use Urban Development District of Columbia Washington D.C. Height Act Land Use Regulation Housing Crisis housing affordability Housing Affordability Crisis View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.