There's lots of evidence and many studies that show that zoning causes high real estate prices. I don't think it's fair to say it's merely a preferred reason. H

There's lots of evidence and many studies that show that zoning causes high real estate prices. I don't think it's fair to say it's merely a preferred reason. Here's one of many: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3507803 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3507803 The bar that you're asking for is too high. Relaxing zoning laws in a specific locale shouldn't lead to lower prices necessarily. It should lead to a smaller price increase than what would have otherwise occurred due to supply still being restricted elsewhere and the relative fungibility of low to mid income housing. But I agree that it would be good to see an event study of a natural experiment in addition to the correlational studies. However given the existing evidence we have, as well as the underlying economic logic, we shouldn't pretend as though there's no basis for bringing up zoning as a major cause of high real estate prices.