Across the Wasatch Region, restrictive zoning policies have contributed to a severe housing shortage, rising costs, long commutes, and fragmented growth. Reforming outdated zoning codes is one of the most effective tools we have to address these challenges—and to build neighborhoods that are more inclusive, sustainable, and connected.
We support zoning reforms that expand housing choices and make it easier to build homes of all shapes and sizes. When we create space for more homes, everyone benefits: from young people and growing families to older adults and essential workers.
Zoning Reform Increases Housing Supply
At its core, zoning reform allows for more homes to be built: especially the smaller, more attainable homes that are currently missing from much of our region. By enabling a mix of housing types like townhomes, duplexes, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings, cities can welcome more neighbors without requiring more sprawl.
This increased supply helps meet demand, eases pressure on prices, and gives people across all income levels a better shot at finding a home that fits their needs.
It Creates Walkable, Connected Neighborhoods
Zoning reform plays a key role in creating walkable communities where people can live close to daily needs—like grocery stores, transit stops, parks, and jobs. By allowing mixed-use development and reducing barriers to building homes near commercial corridors and transit lines, we support neighborhoods that reduce long commutes and foster everyday connection.
These walkable, people-focused places improve public health, reduce car dependence and pollution, and create the conditions for thriving local economies.
It Strengthens Social Connection
When our neighborhoods include a mix of people, housing types, and public spaces, community connection flourishes. Zoning reform encourages designs that bring people together: on porches, in parks, at community centers, and along shared sidewalks.
By making it easier to live near others from different backgrounds, life stages, and income levels, zoning reform breaks down barriers and helps create diverse, inclusive neighborhoods where everyone belongs.
It Supports Environmental and Financial Sustainability
Restrictive zoning has long fueled sprawl: pushing development farther into open land, consuming more resources, and straining infrastructure. In contrast, zoning reform focuses growth within existing communities, which helps preserve open space, reduce infrastructure costs, and lower environmental impact.
More compact, energy-efficient housing also means lower utility bills and fewer emissions. And by supporting walkability and transit access, zoning reform reduces traffic congestion and promotes cleaner, healthier communities.
It Makes Better Use of Limited Land
Land is scarce, and expensive, throughout the Wasatch Region. We can’t afford to waste it. Zoning reform helps maximize the use of available land by enabling homes to be built in places where outdated rules previously prevented them.
By making smart use of what we already have—like corner lots, wide streets, and underutilized commercial corridors: we can meet the needs of our growing population without compromising quality of life.
It Supports Transit-Oriented Development
Zoning reform makes it possible to create transit-oriented communities, where homes, jobs, and services are located within walking distance of transit hubs. These kinds of places make it easier to get around, reduce traffic, and give more people access to opportunity: especially those who can’t or don’t drive.
Integrated, mixed-use neighborhoods near transit also support ridership, lower transportation costs, and help our cities grow without adding cars to the road.