U.S. Zoning, Explained

Summary

Zoning plays a pivotal role in shaping cities, but its history is fraught with exclusionary practices that have perpetuated inequality. Starting with a controversial zoning case in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, the video explores how zoning codes segregate land by use and income. It highlights the complexities of zoning regulations, including maps, use tables, and development standards, and critiques its role in fostering suburban sprawl and racial discrimination. The video also discusses zoning reforms, such as loosening single-family zoning and adopting more flexible land use practices, and looks toward a future where zoning codes may become more inclusive and sustainable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zoning is a system used by local governments to regulate land use, separating cities into zones for different purposes like residential, commercial, and industrial.
• 😀 Zoning codes include three main parts: the map (showing zones), the use table (listing permissible uses), and development standards (regulating specific property details like setbacks and building heights).
• 😀 Zoning was first introduced in 1916 in New York City, primarily to ensure light and air in urban spaces, preventing overcrowding of streets by large buildings.
• 😀 The landmark 1926 Supreme Court case *Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty* confirmed zoning as a legal practice, allowing municipalities to regulate land use.
• 😀 Zoning has historically been used to segregate communities by income and race, with practices like banning affordable housing in certain neighborhoods and reinforcing economic inequality.
• 😀 The Mount Laurel case in New Jersey highlighted how exclusionary zoning was used to intentionally keep out low-income and minority residents, demonstrating zoning's role in promoting inequality.
• 😀 Zoning has contributed to suburban sprawl by promoting low-density, single-family housing, which increased reliance on cars and isolated different communities.
• 😀 Modern zoning codes can be restrictive, but some cities have started relaxing single-family zoning and allowing duplexes or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to increase affordable housing options.
• 😀 Form-based codes, an alternative to traditional zoning, focus on building design and aesthetics rather than rigid land-use categories, allowing for more flexibility in urban planning.
• 😀 Despite its drawbacks, zoning remains an essential tool in urban planning, but there is a growing push for reform to make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable.

Q & A

What is the Mount Laurel zoning controversy, and why is it significant?

The Mount Laurel zoning controversy, which occurred in the 1970s in New Jersey, is significant because local government leaders explicitly used zoning laws to restrict affordable housing and exclude low-income residents, particularly people of color. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that communities must zone for people of all incomes, marking a key moment in the fight against exclusionary zoning practices.

How does zoning work in urban planning?

Zoning works by dividing a city into distinct zones, each with regulations about what uses can occur there and how dense development can be. These zones can include residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional areas, with density levels ranging from low to high. Zoning codes also define specific standards such as building height, setbacks, and parking requirements.

What are the three main components of a zoning code?

The three main components of a zoning code are: the zoning map, which shows land divisions by zone; the use table, which specifies which activities are allowed in each zone; and the development standards, which regulate specifics such as building setbacks, height limits, and parking.

What is the role of a zoning map?

A zoning map visually represents the different zones within a city, with each zone color-coded to indicate whether it is residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional. The map helps property owners quickly identify the regulations that apply to their land.

What is meant by 'by right' and 'use permit' in zoning regulations?

'By right' means that a particular use is automatically allowed in a given zone and can be approved quickly without additional review. A 'use permit' means that a specific use requires approval from the local government before it can be established in that zone, typically to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses.

What is 'exclusionary zoning', and how has it been used historically?

Exclusionary zoning refers to zoning practices that intentionally restrict the availability of affordable housing in certain areas, often to exclude low-income or minority populations. Historically, this has been used to enforce racial and economic segregation by zoning wealthier areas for single-family homes and poorer areas for high-density development, such as apartment buildings.

What are some of the critiques of traditional zoning laws?

Critiques of traditional zoning laws include their role in promoting urban sprawl, reinforcing racial and economic segregation, and making cities less affordable. Zoning often restricts diverse housing types, encourages car dependence, and can result in inefficient land use that exacerbates housing shortages and inequality.

What are 'form-based codes' and how do they differ from traditional zoning?

Form-based codes are a type of zoning regulation that focus on the physical form and design of buildings rather than the specific uses of the land. They regulate aspects like building height, street frontage, and architectural style, which can foster a more walkable, mixed-use environment compared to traditional zoning, which often focuses on separating land uses.

How have cities like Portland and Minneapolis reformed their zoning codes?

Cities like Portland and Minneapolis have reformed their zoning codes by abolishing single-family zoning (R-1), allowing more than one housing unit per lot, and encouraging the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in residential areas. These changes aim to increase the availability of affordable housing and reduce urban sprawl.

What are some potential alternatives to traditional zoning?

Alternatives to traditional zoning include comprehensive planning, which provides broader, long-term guidelines for development, and other land use regulations like deed restrictions. Some advocate for using more flexible, fine-grained regulation that addresses specific nuisance issues, without the rigid restrictions imposed by traditional zoning codes.