Raleigh's zoning reform has ushered in more housing options

Raleigh's zoning reform has been one of the most effective policies in the country at creating more housing, Patrick Young, Raleigh's director of planning and development, told the Raleigh City Council.

Why it matters: Raleigh's ongoing tweaks to its zoning code are similar to those of many cities nationwide trying to boost housing options to avoid large increases in both home prices and rents.

• But it's also proven controversial among city voters, with one group of residents even suing the city over its implementation.

Catch-up quick: Starting in 2021, Raleigh began relaxing zoning rules around what can be built in neighborhoods to allow for denser housing — think townhomes, duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units — to be built by right.

By the numbers: Since 2021, more than 2,800 dwelling units have been approved or are currently under review that would not have been allowed before zoning reform, according to Young.

• That represents around 30% of all new units approved since 2021, he added. Only a small number of those units, around 300, have been built so far.
• A majority of those approved (around 2,400 units) are new townhouses in northeast and southeast Raleigh. These are typically 15% cheaper than a single-family home, Young says.
• Of those new units, 203 are considered affordable and come from the zoning reform's density bonus.

What's next: The City Council is still looking to tweak the codes around Raleigh's zoning reform.

• It asked the planning department to bring back potential text changes to incentivize tree preservation and protection in new projects and to encourage more accessory dwelling unit construction.
• It also is seeking potential text changes that would do more to keep new projects from affecting the "character" of neighborhoods. Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin has objected to the term "character" as subjective and judgmental.

What they're saying: "We are seeing some real benefits," Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Melton said during the City Council meeting.

• "It takes a while for policies to take effect and for us to asses full impact … [but] rents are coming down at a higher rate than the national average and we are getting actual affordable housing through no subsidy," he added.