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> It seems like there is a lot of problems baked into zoning Talk about an understatement. The use of zoning, as far as I can tell, became a frenzy to use this

> It seems like there is a lot of problems baked into zoning Talk about an understatement. The use of zoning, as far as I can tell, became a frenzy to use this tool to solve every pet problem. Lack of parking, businesses too loud near residences, blocking light, enforcing neighborhood character or feel, keeping "those people" out of your neighborhood, etc. The end result is that zoning is just paralysis for urban development. You have a ton of funding to get through the zoning board and get exceptions for breaking the rules and to grease some wheels, or you don't build period. I think a more free and more reasonable approach is like what you find in japan, where (as far as I can tell) it is both very easy to get approval for construction in a wide range of common projects and also very easy to convert a living space to a hotel space. While I was in Japan, i spent a few nights in a "standard" hotel (fancy highrise building with a nice lobby and so on), and a few nights in what was basically just a fairly large house in a desirable area converted into a ryokan-style hotel, with a few rooms downstairs where they served breakfast for guests every morning (it was delicious, by the way). It wasn't peak tourist season, so the rates were ridiculously affordable for a fashionable and touristy region of a fashionable and touristy developed country.

graeme 6y ago
Is airbnb controversial in Japan or a non-issue? Their zoning system should be a good test case.
- deleted 6y ago
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russellendicott 6y ago
I believe Houston, TX has no zoning laws either. You can find high rises right next to houses and you can have an auto repair shop in the middle of a suburban neighborhood.
- helen___keller 6y ago
  That's true (houston gets a lot of the same restrictions in other ways, but indeed not from zoning), my point of view was more from the standard Big Expensive Coastal City like the one I live in https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/01/09/no-zoning-in-Houston-there-are-workarounds https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/01/09/no-zoning-in-Ho... > The story of Houston’s land-use policies is a lot more complicated than “no zoning.” In reality, Houston is a big mixture of ordinances, policies, tactics by neighborhoods, and independent efforts by nonprofits, all of which play a role in determining how land is used. Whether or not the lack of zoning and the use of these other tools add up to a more equitable city or a city where the affluent are protected is open to debate. [...] > 3. A complicated development code that contains everything you’d expect except use zoning — and, in some cases, density and height restrictions as well — and drives applicants crazy just like the development code in many other cities.

graeme 6y ago

Is airbnb controversial in Japan or a non-issue? Their zoning system should be a good test case.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]

russellendicott 6y ago

I believe Houston, TX has no zoning laws either. You can find high rises right next to houses and you can have an auto repair shop in the middle of a suburban neighborhood.

helen___keller 6y ago
That's true (houston gets a lot of the same restrictions in other ways, but indeed not from zoning), my point of view was more from the standard Big Expensive Coastal City like the one I live in https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/01/09/no-zoning-in-Houston-there-are-workarounds https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/01/09/no-zoning-in-Ho... > The story of Houston’s land-use policies is a lot more complicated than “no zoning.” In reality, Houston is a big mixture of ordinances, policies, tactics by neighborhoods, and independent efforts by nonprofits, all of which play a role in determining how land is used. Whether or not the lack of zoning and the use of these other tools add up to a more equitable city or a city where the affluent are protected is open to debate. [...] > 3. A complicated development code that contains everything you’d expect except use zoning — and, in some cases, density and height restrictions as well — and drives applicants crazy just like the development code in many other cities.