Exclusionary Zoning: A Detailed Guide
Definition
Exclusionary Zoning refers to the practice of implementing municipal zoning laws and land-use regulations that effectively exclude certain types of housing (typically affordable housing) from a community or neighborhood. These regulations often set minimum lot sizes, prohibit multi-family units, or impose other standards that make it financially unfeasible to develop affordable housing options.
Examples
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Large Minimum Lot Sizes: A municipality sets a minimum lot size of two acres per home, making it impossible to build affordable multi-family housing or small, single-family homes.
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Prohibition of Multi-Family Units: A town passes an ordinance that prohibits the construction of apartment buildings or condominium complexes, thereby restricting the availability of affordable rental units.
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High Parking Requirements: A city imposes stringent parking requirements for new developments, thereby increasing the cost of construction and making it difficult to build affordable housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of exclusionary zoning? A: The stated purpose often revolves around maintaining the character of a neighborhood, controlling population density, or managing infrastructure load. However, the effect is often to limit the availability of affordable housing and lock low-income families out of desirable areas.
Q: Is exclusionary zoning legal? A: Exclusionary zoning is often challenged in court as it can violate fair housing laws that mandate equal access to housing. It can be found illegal if it discriminates against low-income and minority populations.
Q: How does exclusionary zoning affect communities? A: It can lead to economic and racial segregation, limit access to jobs and essential services for low-income residents, and contribute to housing shortages.
Q: Are there any benefits to exclusionary zoning? A: While proponents argue it preserves the character and property values of neighborhoods, exclusionary zoning is critiqued for fostering inequality and limiting the development of inclusive communities.
Related Terms and Definitions
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Inclusionary Zoning: Zoning regulations that require or incentivize the inclusion of affordable housing units in new residential developments.
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Mixed-Use Development: Urban development that blends residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, promoting diverse and integrated communities.
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Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into neighboring regions, often characterized by low-density housing, increased reliance on vehicles, and reduced open space.
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Gentrification: The process whereby affluent individuals move into a previously less affluent neighborhood, resulting in increased property values and the displacement of lower-income families.
Online Resources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
- National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
References
- “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by Richard Rothstein.
- “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond.
- Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 3601-3619].
Suggested Books for Further Studies
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“The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by Richard Rothstein
- An exploration into how government policy has perpetuated segregation and housing inequality.
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“Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond
- An analysis of how eviction affects the lives of low-income people, contributing to broader social inequality.
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“Zoned Out: Regulation, Markets, and Choices in Transportation and Metropolitan Land Use” by Jonathan Levine
- A detailed examination of land use regulations and their impact on metropolitan land use patterns.
