State-Level Reforms to Local Land Use Planning: Strategies for Addressing Housing Needs

Comprehensive plans and land use regulations have traditionally been the domain of local governments. Local governments, however, derive their authority to regulate land use from the state. In response to the effect restrictive local regulations have on housing supply and the cost of housing, many state governments are now stepping in to reform processes local governments use to plan for future development and housing. 

This brief examines the role of the states in setting standards for how localities plan for housing growth. We provide a comprehensive overview of recent reforms to these standards. We then explore the available empirical evidence on how these state planning frameworks and housing production targets affect actual housing production. The final section reviews the key questions policymakers should consider as they design new planning requirements or reform existing ones to achieve statewide housing goals.