Zoning laws (minimum lot sizes, minimum setbacks, minimum parking requirements that are uneconomical to meet on a small lot, bans on 2- or 3-family houses, etc)

Zoning laws (minimum lot sizes, minimum setbacks, minimum parking requirements that are uneconomical to meet on a small lot, bans on 2- or 3-family houses, etc) have intentionally outlawed many smaller, more-affordable styles of houses since 1970, so new houses have gotten bigger.