Land Use Regulations

On the Essential Role of Land Use in the Fight Against Climate Change
The country cannot hope to achieve its goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions without fundamentally rethinking its land use and development patterns, according to this article.

Parking Reforms Under Consideration in St. Paul
Two options for significant parking reforms are under consideration in St. Paul. The City Council could decide to eliminate parking requirements entirely as soon as this summer.

Ohio Economists: Relax Zoning to Lower Housing Costs
A panel of Ohio economists make the case for more multi-family housing and businesses in single-family neighborhoods.

California's Proposed Parking Reform Bill Analyzed
A Terner Center for Housing Innovation at U.C. Berkeley analysis predicts that statewide parking reform, as proposed in Assembly Bill 1401, would have a significant impact on the cost of developing residential and commercial buildings in California.

What Is Upzoning?
Upzoning is a term used to describe changes to a zoning code made to increase the amount of development allowed in the future.

What Is Floor Area Ratio?
Floor area ratio (FAR) is a critical measurement to the field of planning. FAR defines development intensity and determines numerous other regulations and development outcomes.

Portland's Inclusionary Zoning Effect Measured, Criticized
It's been over four years since the city of Portland implemented an inclusionary zoning policy that required all new apartment developments to set aside a portion of units for low- and moderate-income housing.

California City the First to Ban New Gas Stations
With the state mandating a switch to electric vehicles by 2035, Petaluma is aligning its land use regulations with its climate goals.

Co-Living Redefined by Denver City Council
Over the strong opposition from neighborhood groups, the Denver City Council has approved new regulations that allow up to five unrelated individuals to live in the same household.

Housing and Land Use on Washington's Legislative Agenda
The Washington State legislature will consider a number of bills this session that would alter planning and development in a state grappling with population growth and rising housing costs.

What Are Parking Requirements?
Parking requirements determine by law the amount of parking developers must include when building new developments. Though a standard of zoning and development codes nationwide, parking requirements are undergoing a process of reform.

What Is Exclusionary Zoning?
Criticized as a key factor in perpetuating housing inequality in the United States, exclusionary zoning refers to a range of policies that, explicitly or implicitly, seek to prevent people of certain races, ethnicities, or income levels from buying homes in specific neighborhoods.

Berkeley to Remove Parking Requirements for Residential Properties
Berkeley is the second city in Northern California to approve landmark zoning reforms so far in 2021.

Upping Tacoma's Missing Middle Housing Game
Tacoma is looking to expand on the accessory dwelling unit reforms of the Home in Tacoma project by planning for new residential density along the city's transit routes.

Kicking Commercial-to-Residential Conversions Into High Gear
A plan included in New York Gov. Andre Cuomo's draft 2022 budget will make it easier to do adaptive reuse for new housing in New York City.

New Book, 'Land,' Searches for Solid Ground
Simon Winchester's new book, Land, brings global scope to the concepts of land use.

Watch: Planning Without Zoning, Explained
Fans of Houston probably won't want to watch this video that calls the Space City a "jumbled up garbage town."

Housing First; Cars Last
Underutilized parking lots are a costly waste. By managing parking more efficiently, cities can free up land to house people rather than cars.

Reconsidering the 'Special Area Plans' of Miami 21
Insider knowledge on one of the most controversial components of a groundbreaking plan.

Against 'Pandemic-Friendly' Planning
Since COVID-19 won't last forever, planners should not act as if it will, according to this opinion.
Pagination
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