PROMOTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

VIA ZONING REFORM

Earlier this year, Vermont joined Oregon, California, Washington and Montana as a state that preemptively banned local zoning codes that allowed only single-family houses. 

Now, duplexes are allowed in all single-family residential zones and triplexes and fourplexes in all areas served by water and sewer. 

Many activists for equity and inclusion have applauded these preemptions as a giant step toward reversing the impact exclusionary zoning has had on affordable housing and racial/economic segregation.

Planners and REALTORS® are spreading the message about the upside of zoning reform, which goes beyond affordable housing and includes equity, environmental and economic benefits.