Single-Family Zoning Is an Urban Dinosaur
Minneapolis just banned the exclusionary zoning, a step more cities must take to increase density and spur growth.
Obsolete?
Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty Images
The city of Minneapolis just launched a quiet revolution when the city council voted to abolish single-family zoning. This is an excellent move. Cities around the country should follow suit.
Single-family zoning laws say that the only thing you can build in these areas area are homes designed to accommodate one family. Most of these rules mandate large lot sizes, providing space for lawns, garages and setbacks from the street and neighboring properties. These rules also usually contain height limitations — say, three stories at most. Thus, single-family zoning reduces urban density, limiting the number of people who can live in a city.