Land Use Reform

Why do all American suburbs look alike, with single-family homes, 2-car garages, and stores miles away surrounded by giant parking lots? It's not because everyone wants this - it's just illegal to build anything else.

The main problem is single-family zoning: laws that make it illegal to build anything except single-family houses. This limits housing supply. When more people want to move in, there is nowhere for them to live. This housing shortage results in higher prices and more homelessness.

Single-family zoning also means that stores must be far away from where people live. Leaving your house for any reason requires a car trip, and every store needs a giant parking lot. This further limits land available for housing, increasing costs even more.

Fortunately, we can change the laws to make our towns more affordable, sustainable, diverse, and fun. With the right rules and incentives, our towns can grow in a positive-sum game that organically responds to citizens’ needs. Removing single-family zoning legalizes affordable housing. Allowing mixed-use neighborhoods makes it possible to live without wasteful car-centered infrastructure. Mass transit and cycling infrastructure ties it all together, letting citizens travel safely and efficiently.

Follow the links below for more information. To use Streetcar Suburb for local outreach and advocacy, visit the Licensing and Advocacy page.