Zoning

Zoning map of Hartford, Connecticut

Project Highlights Relationship Between Zoning and Affordable Housing

A nationwide ‘digital zoning atlas’ shows how different zoning districts overlap with and affect transportation, infrastructure, and housing affordability.

June 19, 2022 - Governing

"You are entering Jackson's downtown historic district" brown sign

What Is an Overlay District?

A zoning overlay district superimposes an additional set of regulations over an existing zoning district, or multiple zoning districts.

June 15, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Vacant, shuttered motel

New York Law Eases Hotel Conversions

A state law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul loosens zoning restrictions to encourage the conversion of underutilized hotels into housing.

June 9, 2022 - Press Office, Governor of New York State

Neighborhood in Dallas, Texas

Short-Term Rental Regulations Up for Debate in Dallas

The Dallas city council is evaluating three proposals that would impose new regulations on short-term rentals in the city’s residential neighborhoods.

June 7, 2022 - D Magazine

State Capital of Utah

Affordable Housing Proposal Faces Backlash in Salt Lake City

A public hearing last week revealed widespread opposition to a plan to loosen density and height limits and reduce parking requirements to encourage more developers to build affordable housing.

May 17, 2022 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Silicon Valley

San Jose Declines To Join Lawsuit Against State Zoning Law

A San Jose City Council committee rejected a motion to join other cities in opposing Senate Bill 9, which permits lot subdivision in an effort to boost housing affordability.

May 10, 2022 - San José Spotlight

Sprawl

How Urban Sprawl Came To Dominate U.S. Cities—And How To Change That

The auto-centric development patterns of American cities are a result of decades of misguided, but reversible, policy decisions.

May 4, 2022 - Popular Science

View of Madisonm Wisconsin with state capitol building

Madison To Create Transit-Oriented Zoning

The city plans to create a TOD overlay district to encourage density and affordable housing near transit.

May 2, 2022 - City of Madison

Manhattan

New York’s New Head of City Planning Gives First Interview

Dan Garodnick, the new leader of the city’s planning department, outlines how the city plans to adjust zoning regulations to acknowledge changes in how and where people live and work.

April 21, 2022 - The Real Deal

Arizona Suburb

Biden Wants to Incentivize Inclusionary Zoning

Traditionally the purview of local governments, single-family zoning has come under fire as ‘exclusionary.’ Now, the federal government wants to encourage cities to loosen restrictions.

April 18, 2022 - Route Fifty

"Please Be Quiet" sign

New Hampshire Could Permit Short-Term Rentals Statewide

A proposed bill would prohibit towns and cities from enforcing bans against short-term rental properties.

April 11, 2022 - The Keene Sentinel

Wisconsin State Capital

Wisconsin Coalition Releases Housing Affordability Toolkit

The guide outlines zoning reforms that can encourage affordable housing construction and increase density and walkability.

March 30, 2022 - Waunakee Tribune

A view up Santa Fe Drive in Denver. Stores and construction are visible along the street, and Downtown Denver looms in the background.

Denver Wants Ground Floor Retail, Sidewalk Extensions to Achieve Main Street 'Vibe'

The Arts District on Santa Fe Drive is considered one of Denver's final frontiers for revitalization. Local stakeholders are targeting zoning changes as a potential solution.

March 13, 2022 - The Denver Post

Interstate 635

Dallas Neighborhoods Fight Toxic Zoning

Communities in south and west Dallas are working to introduce zoning reform that would reduce industrial pollution and hold companies accountable for their impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.

March 10, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Los Angeles Skyline with houses

Study: Most SoCal Neighborhoods Exclude Multi-Unit Buildings

Research shows that single-family zoning, frequently associated with 'exclusionary' housing policies, dominates Southern California's residential zoning.

March 7, 2022 - Press-Enterprise

Downtown Reno

Reno-Area Upzoning Stirs Concern Among Residents

A county plan to allow a zoning change that slightly increases allowable density in unincorporated parts of Washoe County is drawing criticism from locals.

March 3, 2022 - My News 4

Multi-Family Housing

How Cities Are Resisting State Efforts To Increase Density

Cities are attempting to wrest back local control over land use and zoning via some ingenious—and sometimes disingenuous—strategies.

March 1, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Boise Idaho

Boise Poised To Revise Zoning Code

The city of Boise is soliciting public input on its plan to revise its zoning code to permit a wider variety of housing options.

February 2, 2022 - City of Boise

Wide shot of bridge overpasses under construction at the intersection of GA 400 and I-285 on July 22, 2019 in Atlanta, GA.

Three Challenges to Building Big Infrastructure in America

How complicated zoning and permitting, slow construction, and a dearth of certain skills in the public sector cause delays and increase the cost of U.S. infrastructure projects.

January 25, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Peachtree Street Atlanta

Audit: Police Should Take On Atlanta Zoning Enforcement

A city audit recommends shifting zoning enforcement from the planning department to the police department.

January 25, 2022 - Saporta Report

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.