The Zoning Reform Wave: Which Cities Are Actually Building More?

Since 2020, a wave of zoning reform has swept across American cities. From Minneapolis eliminating single-family zoning to Oregon's statewide middle housing mandate, the policy landscape has shifted dramatically. But are these reforms actually producing more housing?

Reform Scoreboard

Strong Results

• Minneapolis: Permits for 2-4 unit buildings up 32% since reform
• Portland: ADU construction tripled, with 2,400+ built since 2020
• Austin: Significant increase in entitlements for missing middle housing

Mixed Results

• California (SB 9/10): Uptake has been slower than projected due to construction costs and local implementation barriers
• Seattle: Modest increases in density, but concentrated in already-dense neighborhoods

Too Early to Tell

• New York City's City of Yes: Just beginning implementation, with the real test coming in 2026-2027

Key Takeaway

Zoning reform is necessary but not sufficient. The cities seeing the biggest impact are those that combine zoning changes with streamlined permitting, reduced fees, and incentives for builders. Policy alone cannot overcome economic headwinds like high construction costs and labor shortages.