Zoning Reform
Which Cities Are Upzoning?
A recent study surveyed 800 jurisdictions in 50 U.S. metropolitan areas to quantify the amount of change in zoning regulations throughout the 21st century so far.
Zoning and the Global Supply Shortage
Zoning has been blamed for a lot of things in recent years, but a global supply crunch increasing prices and creating shortages of household goods—and potentially ruining the holidays—is a new one.
Bringing the Case for Exclusionary Zoning Reform to Tennessee
The past, present, and future of zoning in Tennessee.
Budget Negotiations Force Retreat of Biden's Housing Ambitions
The Build Back Better agenda is in retreat—including much of the substance on a plan to spend $330 billion to tackle the nation's housing affordability crisis.
Boston City Council Approves Maximum Parking Ratios
An innovative set of zoning reforms have two more approvals left to become law.
Zoning for Transit Accessibility
Using zoning codes to improve accessibility to public transit facilities is a new, but well overdue, idea.
New Zealand Lawmakers Propose Countrywide 'Medium Density Residential Standards'
The country of New Zealand could take the drastic step of implementing planning reforms that allow more dense residential developments throughout the country.
Single-Family Zoning Reform Only a Start
Opinion: To undo the consequences (intended or not) of a built environment dominated by single-family zoning, more than just a few three-plexes and accessory dwelling units will be required.
Boston Introduces 'Maximum Parking Ratios' for Large Buildings
Large buildings with uses of all kinds will be subject to Boston's new "Maximum Parking Ratios."
Opinion: Outdated Zoning Codes Stifle Growth and Development
Strict separation of uses may be an inefficient way to zone dynamic modern cities.
Planning Directors Commit to Change on Racial Inequities
Planning directors around the country have acknowledged the historic role of the planning profession in furthering the causes of racial discrimination and have publicly committed to change that history.
Seattle City Council Changes Single-Family Zoning Name, But Not Substance
The name change to "neighborhood residential zoning" is meant to more accurately reflect the city's diverse neighborhoods, but the new legislation does not change permitted uses.
A 'Pro-Homes Playbook' for Planning and Land Use Commissioners
Desegregate Connecticut, the organization working for planning and zoning reforms in the Constitution State, recently published a series of "playbooks" intended to spur action at the local level.
Missing Middle Housing, Form-Based Code Added to the Zoning Menu in Iowa City
The Iowa City Planning Commission approved a rezoning amendment that will allow new missing middle density and implement a form-based code for the city's South District. The city could expand the concepts as it expands the city in the future.
Eliminating Single-Family Zoning Alone Won't Solve California's Housing Crisis
While zoning reforms can help reduce barriers to building more housing, high construction costs and local opposition mean that the state won't see an immediate boom in density.
Bend First to Comply With Oregon's Statewide Upzoning Law
Oregon made history in 2019 by being the first state to adopt statewide legislation to end single-family zoning. Now, Bend is the first city of more than 25,000 people to comply with that historic legislation.
The End of Single-Family Zoning in California
Despite a few high-profile failures, the California State Legislature has approved a steady drumbeat of pro-development reforms that loosen zoning restrictions. The state raised the stakes on its zoning reforms this week.
Will SB 9 and SB 10 Make Any Difference?
In dramatic fashion, the movement to undo single-unit zoning is going statewide in California with the passage of SB 9 in California. It's an emotional, moral victory for housing advocates—and a ton of work for the state's planners.
San José Could Eliminate Parking Minimums
The city of San José has the highest minimum parking requirements in the state. Now, it is weighing a proposal that would do away with them altogether and let developers decide how much parking to build.
The Limits of Citywide Upzoning
A study shows zoning reform isn't a silver bullet for the housing crisis. In some low-income and BIPOC neighborhoods, it could 'cause more harm than good.'
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
