The Silent Killer of Housing Affordability
If you care about housing affordability, climate change, or economic opportunity, you should care about zoning reform.
Zoning laws—regulations that dictate what can be built where—are the most consequential and least understood policy affecting American cities today.
How We Got Here
The Legacy of Exclusionary Zoning
Modern zoning emerged in the early 20th century, often with explicitly racist intentions. Restrictive zoning was used to: - Exclude minorities from certain neighborhoods - Preserve "property values" (read: keep neighborhoods white) - Limit density and affordable housing - Enforce economic segregation
While explicitly racial zoning is illegal, the legacy remains in single-family zoning that covers 75% of residential land in major cities.
The Cost of Status Quo
Restrictive zoning has massive consequences:
Housing Affordability
- Artificial scarcity drives up prices
- Blocks construction of affordable housing types
- Forces people into long commutes or homelessness
Climate Impact
- Sprawl increases carbon emissions
- Makes public transit economically unviable
- Increases car dependency
Economic Mobility
- Prevents people from moving to high-opportunity areas
- Concentrates poverty in underserved neighborhoods
- Limits economic growth
The Reform Movement
Cities are waking up:
California's ADU Revolution
- Streamlined ADU approvals statewide
- Prohibited most ADU restrictions
- Result: 10x increase in ADU permits
Oregon's Missing Middle
- Legalized duplexes/fourplexes in single-family zones
- Eliminated parking minimums
- Enabled gentle density increases
Minneapolis
- Eliminated single-family zoning entirely
- Allowed triplexes everywhere
- Coupled with affordability requirements
What Good Zoning Looks Like
Form-Based Codes
Focus on building form (height, setbacks) not use. Allow mixed-use development that creates vibrant neighborhoods.
By-Right Development
Allow housing that meets standards without discretionary review. Removes NIMBY veto power and speeds approvals.
Streamlined Permitting
E-permitting, automated compliance checking, and clear timelines reduce friction and costs.
The Path Forward
Zoning reform is politically difficult but essential:
Build Coalitions
- Housing advocates and environmentalists
- Developers and affordability advocates
- Young professionals and families
Focus on Evidence
- Minneapolis saw rents stabilize after reform
- Portland created thousands of ADUs
- California is adding housing at record pace
Start Small
- Legalize ADUs and accessory structures
- Eliminate parking minimums
- Allow corner stores and neighborhood businesses
Why I Care
At GatherADU, we're beneficiaries of zoning reform. California's ADU laws enabled our entire business model. But we see the limits every day: - Arbitrary setback requirements - Unnecessarily restrictive lot coverage limits - Overcomplicated permitting processes
Every regulation should justify its cost. Many can't.
Take Action
If you care about housing:
- Educate yourself on local zoning laws
- Attend city council meetings when housing is discussed
- Support YIMBY organizations advocating for reform
- Vote for pro-housing candidates
- Build public support through education and storytelling
Zoning reform isn't sexy. It's not Silicon Valley disruption. But it's essential for creating cities that work for everyone.
The future of housing depends on it.