National Zoning Atlas
@zoningatlas.bsky.social
The National Zoning Atlas is a collaborative of researchers digitizing, demystifying, & democratizing ~30,000 U.S. zoning codes. Explore our interactive map at zoningatlas.org/atlas.
To give you an idea of the prevalence of slices, take a look at this image from San Francisco, where each color represents a different slice. In the next image, you can see an example of all the districts that were flattened in one highlighted slice.
November 14, 2025 at 2:58 PM
To give you an idea of the prevalence of slices, take a look at this image from San Francisco, where each color represents a different slice. In the next image, you can see an example of all the districts that were flattened in one highlighted slice.
Who wants to learn about slices? 🔪 No, not pizza slices.🍕 Zoning slices! 🤓
Let us explain.
🧵👇
Let us explain.
🧵👇
November 14, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Who wants to learn about slices? 🔪 No, not pizza slices.🍕 Zoning slices! 🤓
Let us explain.
🧵👇
Let us explain.
🧵👇
We also conducted deep dives into Northern Virginia & the metro areas around Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Richmond, Roanoke, & Virginia Beach. Together, these statewide & regional findings illuminate why restrictive zoning is a principal driver of the Commonwealth’s affordability crisis.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We also conducted deep dives into Northern Virginia & the metro areas around Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Richmond, Roanoke, & Virginia Beach. Together, these statewide & regional findings illuminate why restrictive zoning is a principal driver of the Commonwealth’s affordability crisis.
➕ Finding #4: One-third of single-family land bans accessory dwelling units (ADUs) & another third imposes restrictions. These rules limit the ability for ADUs to expand as a viable, alternative housing option.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
➕ Finding #4: One-third of single-family land bans accessory dwelling units (ADUs) & another third imposes restrictions. These rules limit the ability for ADUs to expand as a viable, alternative housing option.
📏 Finding #3: Minimum lot size mandates are widespread & often large. 99% of single-family land has a minimum lot size of which over half requires at least 40,000 sqft (~one acre). Lot sizes like these increase housing costs & contribute to environmentally destructive sprawl.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
📏 Finding #3: Minimum lot size mandates are widespread & often large. 99% of single-family land has a minimum lot size of which over half requires at least 40,000 sqft (~one acre). Lot sizes like these increase housing costs & contribute to environmentally destructive sprawl.
🏡 Finding #2: 98% of residential land allows single-family homes by right, but only 5% allows apartments by right, thus limiting access to the most affordable housing types.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🏡 Finding #2: 98% of residential land allows single-family homes by right, but only 5% allows apartments by right, thus limiting access to the most affordable housing types.
🏘️ Finding #1: 92% of Virginia jurisdictions (shown in purple) have zoning ordinances—making zoning very influential for the 98% of the population that lives in a jurisdiction with zoning.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🏘️ Finding #1: 92% of Virginia jurisdictions (shown in purple) have zoning ordinances—making zoning very influential for the 98% of the population that lives in a jurisdiction with zoning.
Hot off the heels of Virginians electing new statewide leaders, we’re releasing Zoning Report: Virginia—the first-ever comprehensive look at zoning & its impact on housing across all 321 towns, cities, & counties in VA.
www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🧵
www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🧵
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Hot off the heels of Virginians electing new statewide leaders, we’re releasing Zoning Report: Virginia—the first-ever comprehensive look at zoning & its impact on housing across all 321 towns, cities, & counties in VA.
www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🧵
www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🧵
🔪 And finally, an abundance of single-family houses is the least of your worries in Nephi, UT, where at any moment you might find yourself living just 1,000 feet from a “slaughter house.” ☠️
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🔪 And finally, an abundance of single-family houses is the least of your worries in Nephi, UT, where at any moment you might find yourself living just 1,000 feet from a “slaughter house.” ☠️
🦴 If the fat-rendering facilities, tanneries, and stockyards of the Unincorporated (U) District weren’t enough to spook the local livestock Amador County, CA, it appears the Grim Reaper himself added one more use—the distillation of bones!
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🦴 If the fat-rendering facilities, tanneries, and stockyards of the Unincorporated (U) District weren’t enough to spook the local livestock Amador County, CA, it appears the Grim Reaper himself added one more use—the distillation of bones!
🪄 Be careful what you wish for! Cuyahoga Falls, OH puts its use table front and center, but you’ll need more than a magic wand to make sense of its residential use permissions across 20 districts, 14 lot types, 6 detached house types, 4 townhouse types, & 4 multifamily types.
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🪄 Be careful what you wish for! Cuyahoga Falls, OH puts its use table front and center, but you’ll need more than a magic wand to make sense of its residential use permissions across 20 districts, 14 lot types, 6 detached house types, 4 townhouse types, & 4 multifamily types.
👁️ Now you see me, now you don’t! Richmond County, NC almost got the memo about legible tables of uses—but the phantom of the planning office got to it first. 👻
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
👁️ Now you see me, now you don’t! Richmond County, NC almost got the memo about legible tables of uses—but the phantom of the planning office got to it first. 👻
Calling all West Coast zoning enthusiasts! 🌉 Join us TODAY at 12pm PT for the next installment of our Metro Area Snapshot Series where we’ll discuss new insights into how the Bay Area zones & how advocates can use NZA tools to support ongoing reforms.
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Calling all West Coast zoning enthusiasts! 🌉 Join us TODAY at 12pm PT for the next installment of our Metro Area Snapshot Series where we’ll discuss new insights into how the Bay Area zones & how advocates can use NZA tools to support ongoing reforms.
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Next week in Cambridge, Mass, catch NZA geospatial analyst Jake Gilbert alongside MA housing heavy-hitters Amy Dain, @vincent-rollet.bsky.social, & @johninfranca.bsky.social for a wonderful conversation about the ins & outs of multi-family housing for better affordability
October 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Next week in Cambridge, Mass, catch NZA geospatial analyst Jake Gilbert alongside MA housing heavy-hitters Amy Dain, @vincent-rollet.bsky.social, & @johninfranca.bsky.social for a wonderful conversation about the ins & outs of multi-family housing for better affordability
On Oct 15, our Metro Area Snapshot Series heads to Tulsa, OK! 🤠
Join NZA & @housingforward.bsky.social for a first-of-its-kind analysis of zoning in the region—where about half of jurisdictions do not have zoning!—& tips for using our interactive tools.
🗓️Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join NZA & @housingforward.bsky.social for a first-of-its-kind analysis of zoning in the region—where about half of jurisdictions do not have zoning!—& tips for using our interactive tools.
🗓️Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
On Oct 15, our Metro Area Snapshot Series heads to Tulsa, OK! 🤠
Join NZA & @housingforward.bsky.social for a first-of-its-kind analysis of zoning in the region—where about half of jurisdictions do not have zoning!—& tips for using our interactive tools.
🗓️Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join NZA & @housingforward.bsky.social for a first-of-its-kind analysis of zoning in the region—where about half of jurisdictions do not have zoning!—& tips for using our interactive tools.
🗓️Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Today is the today! The National Zoning Atlas takes on @yimbytown.bsky.social, and we're bringing a whole squad. 😎
Come say hi at our "Power Up Your Advocacy" workshop at *3:15* to learn how to use NZA tools to make communicating zoning rules clear and accessible in your next advocacy campaign. 💪
Come say hi at our "Power Up Your Advocacy" workshop at *3:15* to learn how to use NZA tools to make communicating zoning rules clear and accessible in your next advocacy campaign. 💪
September 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Today is the today! The National Zoning Atlas takes on @yimbytown.bsky.social, and we're bringing a whole squad. 😎
Come say hi at our "Power Up Your Advocacy" workshop at *3:15* to learn how to use NZA tools to make communicating zoning rules clear and accessible in your next advocacy campaign. 💪
Come say hi at our "Power Up Your Advocacy" workshop at *3:15* to learn how to use NZA tools to make communicating zoning rules clear and accessible in your next advocacy campaign. 💪
The entire #LosAngeles metro area is now available on the National Zoning Atlas public map! 😎 ☀️ 🌆
On 9/17 at 1pm PT, we’re hosting a webinar to share a first-of-its-kind analysis of how LA zones & demo how advocates can get the most out of NZA tools.
🗓️ Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On 9/17 at 1pm PT, we’re hosting a webinar to share a first-of-its-kind analysis of how LA zones & demo how advocates can get the most out of NZA tools.
🗓️ Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The entire #LosAngeles metro area is now available on the National Zoning Atlas public map! 😎 ☀️ 🌆
On 9/17 at 1pm PT, we’re hosting a webinar to share a first-of-its-kind analysis of how LA zones & demo how advocates can get the most out of NZA tools.
🗓️ Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On 9/17 at 1pm PT, we’re hosting a webinar to share a first-of-its-kind analysis of how LA zones & demo how advocates can get the most out of NZA tools.
🗓️ Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? We still have spots open for our fall semester Legal Internship!
For more information and how to apply, visit www.zoningatlas.org/jobs.
#LandUseLaw #LegalInternship #Internship
For more information and how to apply, visit www.zoningatlas.org/jobs.
#LandUseLaw #LegalInternship #Internship
September 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? We still have spots open for our fall semester Legal Internship!
For more information and how to apply, visit www.zoningatlas.org/jobs.
#LandUseLaw #LegalInternship #Internship
For more information and how to apply, visit www.zoningatlas.org/jobs.
#LandUseLaw #LegalInternship #Internship
The National Zoning Atlas is going to @yimbytown.bsky.social!
On 9/14, join our workshop: Power Up Your Advocacy: Deploying NZA Data for Housing Wins.
We’ll share how advocates can use NZA data & tools to shape op-eds, reports, & advocacy materials that power up your #zoningreform campaigns. 😎
On 9/14, join our workshop: Power Up Your Advocacy: Deploying NZA Data for Housing Wins.
We’ll share how advocates can use NZA data & tools to shape op-eds, reports, & advocacy materials that power up your #zoningreform campaigns. 😎
August 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The National Zoning Atlas is going to @yimbytown.bsky.social!
On 9/14, join our workshop: Power Up Your Advocacy: Deploying NZA Data for Housing Wins.
We’ll share how advocates can use NZA data & tools to shape op-eds, reports, & advocacy materials that power up your #zoningreform campaigns. 😎
On 9/14, join our workshop: Power Up Your Advocacy: Deploying NZA Data for Housing Wins.
We’ll share how advocates can use NZA data & tools to shape op-eds, reports, & advocacy materials that power up your #zoningreform campaigns. 😎
TOMORROW! Join us for a webinar unveiling the first-ever statewide zoning analysis for the New Mexico. 🌄
We'll share top-level Atlas findings & demo how to use our online tools. Perfect for builders, housing advocates & everyone invested in NM’s housing future.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We'll share top-level Atlas findings & demo how to use our online tools. Perfect for builders, housing advocates & everyone invested in NM’s housing future.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
August 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM
TOMORROW! Join us for a webinar unveiling the first-ever statewide zoning analysis for the New Mexico. 🌄
We'll share top-level Atlas findings & demo how to use our online tools. Perfect for builders, housing advocates & everyone invested in NM’s housing future.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We'll share top-level Atlas findings & demo how to use our online tools. Perfect for builders, housing advocates & everyone invested in NM’s housing future.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📣 Fall Internship Opportunity for J.D. Students! 📣
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? Apply for the NZA Legal Internship to gain a one-of-a-kind experience investigating the zoning rules that shape how our communities grow.
Visit zoningatlas.org/jobs for more info.
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? Apply for the NZA Legal Internship to gain a one-of-a-kind experience investigating the zoning rules that shape how our communities grow.
Visit zoningatlas.org/jobs for more info.
August 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
📣 Fall Internship Opportunity for J.D. Students! 📣
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? Apply for the NZA Legal Internship to gain a one-of-a-kind experience investigating the zoning rules that shape how our communities grow.
Visit zoningatlas.org/jobs for more info.
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? Apply for the NZA Legal Internship to gain a one-of-a-kind experience investigating the zoning rules that shape how our communities grow.
Visit zoningatlas.org/jobs for more info.
Join us Wednesday, August 27th for the launch of the New Mexico Zoning Atlas! ☀️
Our NZA #ZoningAnalysis covers the state's 140 jurisdictions where about half—that are home to *85%* of the state’s population—have zoning.
💻 Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our NZA #ZoningAnalysis covers the state's 140 jurisdictions where about half—that are home to *85%* of the state’s population—have zoning.
💻 Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
August 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Join us Wednesday, August 27th for the launch of the New Mexico Zoning Atlas! ☀️
Our NZA #ZoningAnalysis covers the state's 140 jurisdictions where about half—that are home to *85%* of the state’s population—have zoning.
💻 Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our NZA #ZoningAnalysis covers the state's 140 jurisdictions where about half—that are home to *85%* of the state’s population—have zoning.
💻 Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Don't miss this week's webinar digging into our findings from "Zoning Report: Cape Cod"!
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
August 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Don't miss this week's webinar digging into our findings from "Zoning Report: Cape Cod"!
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📊 Data Visualization Update 📊
Months in the making, we’re excited to share two big updates on the way our map & Zoning Snapshots display minimum lot size (MLS) data:
- MLS data now appears in *square feet *(SF)!
- Districts with multiple/various entries for MLS data are more clearly captured.
🧵
Months in the making, we’re excited to share two big updates on the way our map & Zoning Snapshots display minimum lot size (MLS) data:
- MLS data now appears in *square feet *(SF)!
- Districts with multiple/various entries for MLS data are more clearly captured.
🧵
July 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
📊 Data Visualization Update 📊
Months in the making, we’re excited to share two big updates on the way our map & Zoning Snapshots display minimum lot size (MLS) data:
- MLS data now appears in *square feet *(SF)!
- Districts with multiple/various entries for MLS data are more clearly captured.
🧵
Months in the making, we’re excited to share two big updates on the way our map & Zoning Snapshots display minimum lot size (MLS) data:
- MLS data now appears in *square feet *(SF)!
- Districts with multiple/various entries for MLS data are more clearly captured.
🧵
We just dropped our newest publication, "Zoning Report: Cape Cod." Now let’s unpack the findings together at our upcoming webinar!
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
July 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
We just dropped our newest publication, "Zoning Report: Cape Cod." Now let’s unpack the findings together at our upcoming webinar!
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...