Zoning

Phoenix Approves ADUs
The city hopes backyard ‘casitas’ can help alleviate the housing crisis.

Vancouver Day Care Rejection Poses Larger Questions
What does it mean for cities and civic life when neighborhoods are viewed as products geared for individual consumption rather than ever-evolving communities?

Columbus Set to Reform Zoning Code
City officials want to streamline the permitting process for developers looking to build housing.

Mesa General Plan Update Aims for Clarity, Accountability
The Arizona city’s once-a-decade update to its General Plan will clarify zoning boundaries left ‘fuzzy’ in its previous iteration.

Bring Back the Corner Store
‘Accessory commercial units’ were once common across U.S. towns and cities. Now, zoning regulations make them illegal in many places.

The Social and Economic Impacts of Exclusionary Zoning
A new book further reveals the inequities perpetuated by restrictive zoning policies.

Report: Why It Costs so Much to Build Housing in Austin
The study highlights high real estate costs as well as restrictive zoning regulations and building requirements that delay multi-family construction.

Where Have all the Kit Homes Gone?
Buying a house through the Sears catalog was, for a brief historical moment, a popular and affordable way to become a homeowner.

Vancouver Poised to Increase Residential Zoning
The city council will vote on a proposal to eliminate single-family only zoning in favor of rules that would allow up to six units per residential lot.

Austin Could Reduce Minimum Lot Sizes
In an effort to increase housing production and bring down housing costs, the city council approved a resolution calling for reduced lot sizes and higher density in single-family neighborhoods.

National Zoning Atlas Makes Headway
The project aims to bring zoning data from around the country into one database, making it easier for planners and researchers to compare policies and their impacts.

ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast
In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.

Zoning Reform Proposed in Austin
Proposed changes would create more room for mid-density housing and shift away from single-family homes on large lots.

New Research Blames Affluent Suburbs for Housing Crisis
Small, often wealthy enclaves build far less multifamily housing than their larger counterparts, exacerbating the dearth of affordable housing near big cities and job centers.

St. Paul Moves Toward Zoning Reform
The city is considering legalizing missing middle housing types and loosening other zoning regulations to encourage more housing production and density.

Edmonton to Revise Zoning Code
Proposed changes could help spur more housing development in the Canadian city and encourage density increases in residential neighborhoods.

Saratoga Springs Revises Internal ADU Rules
The city is aligning its policies with New York state regulations but is keeping parking requirements in place.

New York Could Legalize Rapid Delivery Hubs
Criticized as ‘dark stores,’ the warehouses for quick-delivery services have been popping up around the city.

Survey: Zoning Codes Holding Back Office Conversion
A survey of developers and architects found that many of them find it hard to meet demand for office conversion due to local regulations and zoning restrictions.

Boise Approves First Zoning Code Update in 60 Years
A comprehensive update of the city’s zoning code aimed at making housing more affordable and promoting sustainable growth received unanimous support from the city council.
Pagination
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