It's not a strawman at all. I'm not talking about regulations like requiring fire alarms. I'm talking about zoning regulations as well as environmental regulat

It's not a strawman at all. I'm not talking about regulations like requiring fire alarms. I'm talking about zoning regulations as well as environmental regulations that are usually well meaning, and maybe even necessary, but are more frequently used as a kudgel by local landowners to keep out any newcomers. You can buy land in rural middle America for $2,500 an acre and build a nice house on it for $100k. And no, not the middle of nowhere. These areas have water and electric utility service as well as major highway access. Much of Asia has a much higher population density than the U.S. Land prices are likely higher their due to actual scarcity.