Suburban Housing Density Reform Initiative

Presented By Giselle de Souza

This Movement Is Currently
In The Planning Stage.

THE SUBURBAN HOUSING EXCLUSION CRISIS

Exclusionary zoning in America’s suburbs artificially restricts housing supply while perpetuating segregation patterns and exacerbating affordability challenges:

• Single-family-only zoning covers 75% of residential land in most metro areas
• Minimum lot size requirements often exceed 10,000 square feet
• Multifamily housing prohibited entirely in many suburban communities
• Approval processes for modest density increases can take years and cost hundreds of thousands
• Parking requirements often mandate 2+ spaces per unit regardless of need
• Height limitations prevent even modest multi-story development
• Affordable housing faces particular barriers through discretionary processes
• Current residents can block new housing through multiple veto points
• Infrastructure impact fees often set prohibitively high for smaller units
• Multigenerational and extended family living arrangements effectively prohibited

These artificial constraints prevent housing markets from responding to demand, drive sprawl, increase inequality, and exclude moderate-income households from high-opportunity communities.

OUR HOUSING CHOICE FRAMEWORK

Our proposed state model legislation would establish:

1. BY-RIGHT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT STANDARDS

• Mandated ADU allowance on all residential properties
• Streamlined permitting with ministerial review only
• Reasonable size allowances up to 1,000 square feet
• Prohibition on owner-occupancy requirements
• Elimination of dedicated parking requirements
• Utility connection fee waivers or reductions
• Standard plan options reducing design costs
• Maximum fee schedules preventing excessive charges
• Prohibition on short-term rental restrictions
• Regular assessment of ADU production and barriers

2. SMALL-SCALE MULTIFAMILY LEGALIZATION

• By-right duplex/triplex development in single-family zones
• Form-based standards ensuring neighborhood compatibility
• Streamlined approval processes eliminating discretionary review
• Reduced parking requirements reflecting actual demand
• Impact fee proportionality based on actual unit size
• Design flexibility accommodating diverse housing types
• Elimination of minimum lot size requirements
• Simplified conversion of existing homes to multiple units
• Clear, objective development standards
• Technical assistance supporting implementation

3. TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES

• Density bonuses within 1/2 mile of high-frequency transit
• Parking requirement reductions near transit
• Height increases enabling transit-supportive density
• Mixed-use zoning by right in transit corridors
• Expedited approval for transit-oriented projects
• Infrastructure investment prioritization near transit
• Affordable housing set-asides in transit zones
• Public land prioritization for transit-oriented development
• Anti-displacement protections for existing residents
• Regular assessment of transit-supportive housing production

4. AFFORDABLE HOUSING STREAMLINING

• By-right approval for projects meeting affordability thresholds
• Density bonuses for affordable unit inclusion
• Fee waivers proportional to affordability
• Elimination of discretionary review for qualifying projects
• Accelerated permitting timelines
• Reduced parking requirements
• Design flexibility accommodating affordability constraints
• Infrastructure support for affordable developments
• Regular reporting on affordable housing production
• Anti-displacement protections during development

5. EXCLUSIONARY ZONING LIMITATIONS

• Prohibition on single-family-only zoning
• Limitations on minimum lot size requirements
• Elimination of apartment bans
• Restrictions on excessive setback requirements
• Maximum residential parking requirements
• Prohibition on dwelling unit caps or moratoria
• Limitations on subjective design standards
• Reasonable occupancy standards allowing extended families
• Housing needs assessment requirements for all communities
• Regular fair housing compliance evaluation

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

The legislation would establish a State Housing Opportunity Office providing technical assistance to municipalities and monitoring compliance. Implementation would emphasize:

• Model zoning code templates simplifying local adoption
• Technical assistance helping communities implement reforms
• Gradual implementation timelines allowing adjustment
• Infrastructure coordination supporting growth areas
• Regular assessment of housing production outcomes
• Best practice dissemination accelerating adoption
• Regional planning encouraging coordinated approaches
• Continuous improvement based on implementation experience
• Recognition for communities demonstrating innovation
• Data-driven evaluation ensuring effectiveness

Our coalition includes affordable housing developers, fair housing organizations, business groups concerned with workforce housing, environmental organizations supporting climate-friendly development patterns, and community advocates committed to creating diverse, inclusive communities.

 

Your support will help create the legislative framework needed to address exclusionary zoning—eliminating artificial barriers that restrict housing supply, maintain segregation patterns, and exacerbate affordability challenges while respecting community character through reasonable, objective standards ensuring new housing complements existing neighborhoods.