Zoning Reform

The 'Most Pro-Housing Reform in U.S. History' Expected for Approval Today in Portland
The Portland Residential Infill Project is expected for approval by the Portland City Council today, culminating a six year process that became more and more ambitious with every iteration.

Opinion: The Zoning Reform Discourse Needs a Dose of Reality
Lately it seems like people are forgetting that zoning is a legal process, requiring the support of elected officials.

Missing Middle Zoning Reform Advances in the Vermont Legislature
The Vermont State Senate voted unanimously to approve legislation that would reduce barriers to more compact residential development. The Vermont House of Representatives is up next.

Pro-Development Coalition Forms in Connecticut
DesegregateCT is a growing coalition of groups coalescing behind ideas like Missing Middle Housing and zoning reform as a means to improved housing affordability.

Another Way to Achieve Racial Justice: Zoning Reform
An opinion piece calls out suburban communities for perpetuating structural inequality and housing discrimination. Recently converted social justice advocates should focus their zeal on zoning reform, according to the argument that follows.

Laying the Groundwork for Cheaper Multi-Family Housing Construction
The processes of clearing land, building foundations, and making space for parking are three of the most expensive components of the construction process. Zoning can help reduce the costs to deliver more affordable housing supply.

How Zoning Reform Can Help Businesses Transition to Outdoor Operations
A trend toward allowing restaurants and retailers to expand operations to the public realm outside their brick and mortar confines is quickly gaining steam.

Mayor Lightfoot Expected to Push for Legal Coach Houses in Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to introduce legislation that would relax zoning restrictions on coach houses, known widely as accessory dwelling units, in the city of Chicago.

DTLA 2040 Ready for Public Scrutiny in Los Angeles
Two community plan updates, to the Central City and the Central City North community plans, comprise the DTLA 2040 plan. DTLA 2040 is also the first showcase for the city's new zoning code system.

Work Underway to Update Detroit's Zoning Code
The first deliverable in the process of updating the city of Detroit's zoning ordinance is publically available.

Zoning Change for Mixed-Use Developments, Density Near Transit Moves Forward
Until now, mixed-use projects have required a lengthy discretionary approval process in San Diego. That could change with a zoning change given preliminary approval by the City Council this week.

Another Benefit of Zoning Reform: More Flexibility for Historic, Non-Conforming Uses
Non-conforming uses, usually historic buildings that predate the strictures of 20th century zoning codes, can get a little more comfortable under the reforms approved by the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

History Made: Oregon Legislature Ends Single-Family Zoning
A bill that seemed like it could be a casualty of a bitter partisan feud managed to squeak under the wire. With Governor Kate Brown's signature, single-family zoning will be prohibited throughout the state of Oregon.

YIMBYs Leading the Pro-Density Fight
Minneapolis has become an inspiration to other cities about how to successfully challenge NIMBY factions that oppose density and zoning reform.

Twin Cities ADU Construction Slow, but Expected
Easing ADU regulations has led to some new construction in the Twin Cities, but the additional units have made a small dent in the area’s affordable housing problem.

Zoning Reform Gets Another Try as Massachusetts Wrestles With Housing Crunch
Strong support for local control has made statewide legislation to address the housing affordability crisis difficult to approve in the Bay State.

A New Zoning Code for a More Effective Comprehensive Plan
Amarillo, a city of nearly 200,000 residents located in the Texas Panhandle, will rewrite its zoning ordinance for the first time in over 50 years.

Editorial: Raise Height Limits to San Jose's Proper Stature
The city of San Jose has the "least distinctive" downtown skyline of the nation's major cities, according to editorial board of The Mercury News. The City Council has a chance to change that.

Spatial Mismatch's Far-Reaching Effects
When workers can't afford to live near jobs, the results are more than just housing cost burdens.

Form at the Forefront of Zoning Code Rewrite in Covington, Kentucky
The city of Covington is conducting public hearings to gather feedback on at the outset of an 18-month process of rewriting its zoning code.
Pagination
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.
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport