Zoning

Empty open plan office with gray carpet and white walls

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.

June 23, 2023 - U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Aerial view of graded dirt lot ready for construction and houses with mountains in background near Boise, Idaho

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.

June 18, 2023 - Boise Dev

Aerial view of St. Petersburg, Florida on Gulf of Mexico coast

No Relief in Sight for Tampa Bay Renters

The region’s rents are rising sharply, while experts expect multi-family construction to slow down.

June 18, 2023 - Tampa Bay Times

Aerial view of Colorado state capitol in Denver, Colorado

What Caused the Failure of Zoning Reform in Colorado?

Land use reform bills that gained bipartisan support in the Montana legislature were strongly opposed by Colorado Republicans.

June 14, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Row of two-story traditional wood houses in Stamford, Connecticut

Study Links Single-Family Zoning to Exclusion

An analysis of Connecticut zoning laws finds single-family neighborhoods are associated with higher incomes and whiter populations than the 2 percent of the state that permits multifamily housing.

June 12, 2023 - Governing

Wood-frame two-story housing under construction

Opinion: Failed Housing Bills Could Signal California-Style Housing Crisis in Texas

Legislators in a state that so often touts its policies as the opposite of California’s defeated several bills that would have made housing construction easier, leading to concerns that a constricted housing market may exacerbate the housing crisis.

June 8, 2023 - The Dallas Morning News

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

June 4, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

Downtown Dallas

Vacant Lot Development Could Bring 100,000 New Housing Units to Dallas

Building on the roughly 76 million square feet of vacant land already zoned for multifamily housing could create badly needed rental housing units and slow the growth of rent prices.

May 30, 2023 - RentCafé

Aerial view of Missoula, Montana

Montana Governor Signs Zoning Reform Bills

Four bills that target housing production promise to streamline permitting processes, reform ADU regulations, and loosen zoning restrictions in commercially zoned areas.

May 24, 2023 - The Missoulian

Two-story split lot housing in Houston, Texas with two-car garages

Houston Debates Shared Driveway Requirement

A proposed rule would require developers to build shared driveways for narrow lot projects.

May 22, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis to Begin Environmental Review in Response to 2040 Plan Lawsuit

After environmental groups sought to stop the city’s ambitious comprehensive plan, Minneapolis is looking for ways to resume its implementation.

May 18, 2023 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Single-Family Neighborhood

Toronto Approves Multiplex Housing Citywide

The city hopes streamlining the construction of multifamily housing will slow the growth of housing costs and prevent the displacement of residents as the city grows.

May 15, 2023 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Graphic with Sara Bronin headshot superimposed on photo of historic rowhouse building and "Historic Preservation with Sara Bronin" text

Save the Clocktower! Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Chair Sara Bronin Joins The Planning Commission Podcast

Sara Bronin was recently appointed by President Biden to chair the ACHP. In this episode she takes us back to the future on what historic preservation means to American cities and what planners can do to balance preservation with contemporary needs.

May 12, 2023 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue facing U.S. Capitol building

Is it Time to Revise D.C.’s Height Act?

The century-old rule has shaped the District’s iconic horizontal skyline, but some Council members say it need revision in light of the region’s growing housing crisis.

May 12, 2023 - WTOP

Texas State Capital

Austin Eliminates Parking Requirements

After eliminating downtown parking requirements ten years ago, the city will now end minimum parking mandates citywide.

May 9, 2023 - Austin Monitor

Blue sign with white Parking text and arrow pointing into garage

Parking Reform Bill to be Introduced at Federal Level

The legislation, which would ban parking requirements near transit to encourage housing development and bring down housing costs, would be a rare federal preemption of local control.

May 9, 2023 - Business Insider

Colorfu rowhouses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Examining Philadelphia’s Zoning Overlay Districts

A decades-old policy allowing hyperlocal zoning exemptions and restrictions creates a confusing patchwork of zoning regulations across the city.

May 4, 2023 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Texas Capitol Building

Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate

If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.

May 1, 2023 - FOX 4 News

Historic Downtown Frederick Maryland sign in downtown area.

Maryland City Reveals Draft Form-Based Code

With the new zoning code, Frederick aims to shift away from use-based zoning regulations.

April 30, 2023 - City of Frededick

Sprawl

Essay: Will America Ever Change its Urban Patterns?

If there has ever been a good time to change our urban patterns, the time is now.

April 30, 2023 - Marcelo Remond

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.