Zoning laws play a crucial role in shaping the physical and demographic characteristics of communities in the United States. They are widely prevalent in every municipality, regulating a wide range of aspects of property use, such as land use, lot size, building heights, density, and setbacks. These laws impact the appearance and functionality of towns and cities and have been used as a tool to exclude certain groups or businesses from certain areas. This practice is commonly referred to as exclusionary zoning.
Exclusionary Zoning: The Negative Impact on Cities and Communities
The impact of zoning on communities has become a topic of discussion, with many advocating for zoning reform to address issues such as housing availability, affordability, and racial division in cities. In 2021, California passed Senate Bill 9, which allowed for up to four units on a single-family lot, with the goal of increasing housing production and addressing the state’s housing and homelessness crisis.
California’s SB 9: An Attempt to Address the Housing Crisis
However, a recent study found that the implementation of SB 9 has been slow, with property owners not fully embracing the opportunity to build more units. This may be due to opposition from homeowner groups and local elected officials who were concerned about the potential negative impact on single-family neighborhoods.
Despite this slow adoption rate, it’s important to examine why more property owners haven’t taken advantage of SB 9. The law permits the construction of a duplex on a single-family lot or the subdivision of the property into two lots, each of which can accommodate two units. This flexibility could provide a solution to California’s housing crisis, but the state needs to find ways to encourage property owners to build more homes.
