Land Use

3 articles

Aerial view of a city divided by zoning, showing contrast between dense, diverse neighborhoods and uniform single-family housing areas.

What is Zoning and How Does it Impact City Development?

Cities in California with over 96 percent single-family-only zoning are nearly 55 percent white, starkly contrasting with the state's overall 35 percent white population, according to the California Z

Aaron Blake·May 10, 2026

A diverse cityscape with various building types, overlaid with subtle zoning maps and legal documents, representing the complexity of local zoning ordinances.

Real Estate

What Are Types of Local Zoning Ordinances and Their Effects?

In 2023, North Carolina forbade local governments from restricting building-design elements on residential structures with up to four units and precluded cities from requiring parking spaces larger th

Aaron Blake·May 8, 2026

Close-up of a hand considering a complex permit application on a desk in a city planning office, symbolizing the importance of conditional use permits.

Services

What Are Conditional Use Permits and Why Do They Matter?

In Seattle, obtaining a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a business or property development can mean incurring an hourly fee for city staff review time, a cost that varies widely and can quickly accum

Derek Molina·May 5, 2026