• Where are building types needed in land-use codes?

    Regulation of building types helps to provide predictability and clearly articulate the intended outcomes in many kinds of walkable neighborhoods, but they are not helpful everywhere.
    As I wrote in May , building types are important in land-use regulations for many reasons. Now, let’s explore where they are needed. This post focuses on where building types are most effective, where they could be helpful but aren’t necessary, and where they are not necessary and should not be...Read more

  • Statewide code reform is a good idea

    Although zoning was adopted locally, state legislation is helping to revise community land-use codes for the 21st Century.
    Many states—Oregon, California, Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont—have either adopted or are moving forward with legislation that loosens the restrictions on “missing middle housing”—defined as small multifamily units that are similar in scale and compatible alongside single-family dwellings. State...Read more

  • Golden State joins code reform movement

    Enabling missing middle housing and compact neighborhoods are at the heart of land-use reforms in many states and cities.
    California is the latest state to move forward with legislation that will promote more “missing middle housing” on what are now single-family lots throughout the state. The missing middle consists of various low-rise multifamily dwellings that are compatible with, and resemble, single-family homes...Read more

  • CNU takes code reform to New Hampshire

    Following a recent code reform partnership with the State of Vermont culminating in a report and legislative initiatives , CNU has embarked on a similar project in New Hampshire, working with the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. The first stakeholder meeting took place in early August. New...Read more