With housing affordability reaching crisis proportions in many cities, local officials are implementing new zoning regulations to catalyze more home construction.
Land-use rules that include density restrictions, and even some that influence aesthetics and design, restrict development. It has been estimated that 20% of the variation in housing growth from one area to another can be attributed to density regulations.
Officials in several cities recently altered zoning regulations to spur more housing development. In Longmont, Colo., for example, leaders identified five key mixed-used pockets for new housing projects. Within these zones, the city is incentivizing four-story buildings, greater density, and more affordable housing.
A new program in Austin relaxed rules on density, setbacks, height, and parking in return for at least 50% of units classifying as affordable. Where the entire project is classified as affordable, developers are able to build 50% taller than the current code.
In Minneapolis, the city removed single-family zoning and now allows residential construction of up to three units citywide.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2020
Taller timber buildings approved in National Fire Protection Association code
Ensures compatibility with the International Building Code.
Codes and Standards | Sep 14, 2020
Relocation of neighborhoods, the next step in U.S. flood strategy, is underway
Repeated rebuilding after successive floods now seen as bad policy.
Codes and Standards | Sep 10, 2020
Fannie Mae programs provide incentives for multifamily solar
Affordable housing projects can find PV installations to be cost-effective.
Codes and Standards | Sep 9, 2020
Corporate pledges accelerate net-zero building movement
World Green Building Council drives goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2020
Study will examine elevator airflow amid COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers to investigate risk of airborne transmission.
Codes and Standards | Sep 4, 2020
Updated selection, application guide for plastic glazed skylights, sloped glazing released
Part of suite of skylight documents by Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance.
Codes and Standards | Sep 3, 2020
Turner Construction takes strong stand against racism
Shuts down work sites for anti-bias training.
Codes and Standards | Sep 2, 2020
California releases guide for state water policy
Water Resilience Portfolio is roadmap for meeting water needs as climate changes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2020
Fenestration alliance updates fenestration sealants guide
First update to 2009 document.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2020
Platform will allow researchers to test energy system integration at scale
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently launched the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform.
