TheReview_July_Aug_2021

IS YOUR ZONING ORDINANCE LIMITING ATTAINABLE HOUSING OPTIONS?

By Andy Moore, AICP

T he housing affordability crisis has been a focal point of many community planners and developers as the inexorable march of housing prices into the stratosphere seems to continue unabated. This leaves many local officials feeling helpless as they try to implement policies to provide attainable housing options for a variety of ages, abilities, and incomes. While one city or village can’t solve the entire problem, everyone can do their part to create more inclusive communities. Implementing attainable housing policies doesn’t have to be a herculean effort. Several simple adjustments can be made to the zoning ordinance that will allow for more affordable and attainable housing options. Size Matters When it comes to attainable housing, size matters. Large houses cost more to build and maintain than small houses. Large lots cost more than small lots. With this in mind, a good place to start in the evaluation of your zoning ordinance is what it requires for minimum dwelling unit sizes and minimum lot sizes.

Most zoning ordinances include a section, usually in the general provisions, that regulates single-family dwellings. This addresses topics such as construction methods and materials, foundations, crawl spaces, and the like. It also contains two often-overlooked provisions that require a minimum area for all dwelling units and a minimum horizontal dimension. In many cases, the minimum area for dwelling units is 1,200 or even 1,500 square feet, so it is quite literally illegal to build a small, affordable house for one or two people. Similarly, this same section often requires a minimum horizontal dimension across any front, side, or rear elevation of at least 24 to 30 feet, which can also have a practical effect of mandating larger houses than necessary. These two provisions should be evaluated in conjunction to ensure that, at a minimum, it is possible to build a smaller house in your community if the market demands it.

JULY / AUGUST 2021

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THE REVIEW

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