These forward-thinking cities are rewriting the rules on how we live, rent, and own.
Cities aren’t waiting around for federal reforms—they’re pushing ahead with bold housing laws that challenge the status quo. With rising rent, growing populations, and housing shortages pushing people to the edge, these 13 cities are shaking things up. They’re introducing creative zoning changes, loosening restrictions, and making room for new types of living spaces that didn’t fit traditional molds.
Some of these changes are subtle, others are seismic—but all of them point toward a new vision of urban life. These places aren’t just reacting to housing issues—they’re getting ahead of them. Whether you’re a renter tired of outdated rules or a homeowner curious about what’s possible, these cities are worth watching. The future of housing might already be happening in your backyard.
1. Portland is turning single-family neighborhoods into multi-family zones.
Portland’s Residential Infill Project opened the door for more duplexes, triplexes, and even fourplexes in neighborhoods once locked into single-family zoning. It’s not just about cramming more homes onto lots—it’s about rethinking how neighborhoods function. The goal is to increase density without sacrificing the charm that makes Portland so livable in the first place, as reported by the writers at Planetizen.
This shift is helping the city fight back against rising housing costs and urban sprawl. It also means fewer long commutes for people who want to live closer to where they work or go to school. The city isn’t just making room for more people; it’s reimagining how those people live side by side. Small developers and homeowners now have options that didn’t exist five years ago.
2. Minneapolis eliminated single-family zoning citywide.
Minneapolis made national headlines by becoming the first major U.S. city to end single-family-only zoning across the board. That bold move allowed up to three housing units on any residential lot, instantly changing the landscape of what can be built where. It’s a complete pivot from the exclusionary policies that shaped so many American neighborhoods, according to Richard D. Kahlenberg at The Century Foundation.
Instead of cookie-cutter houses on massive lots, the city is encouraging more diverse housing types—duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs (accessory dwelling units). This change aims to boost affordability and make neighborhoods more inclusive. It’s not just an experiment anymore—it’s become a model other cities are starting to study closely.
3. Austin is legalizing tiny homes in a big way.
Tiny homes used to sit in a legal gray area in many places, but Austin is going all in. The city’s updated land use rules now make it easier than ever to build tiny homes in backyards, on small lots, or even in standalone communities. That flexibility opens up more affordable paths to homeownership or long-term rental.
This isn’t about trendy Instagram cottages—it’s about practical, affordable shelter that meets real needs, as stated by Phil West at Next City. Austin is embracing a housing model that fits young professionals, retirees, and people priced out of traditional homes. It’s also helping reduce environmental impact, since smaller homes mean lower energy use and less waste.
4. San Diego is fast-tracking ADU construction.
San Diego isn’t just allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—they’re encouraging them with fewer regulations and quicker approval processes. Homeowners can now build a second unit on their property without jumping through endless hoops. This gives families more flexibility and renters more options in a tight market.
The city even waives some fees and provides pre-approved plans to make building an ADU faster and cheaper. It’s a practical move in a city where space is limited and housing demand is intense. These changes are making it easier to add living space without expanding the city’s footprint.
5. Seattle is legalizing more shared housing models.
Seattle is opening the door to co-living spaces, micro-units, and other alternative housing models that break away from the typical apartment mold. These smaller, often shared living setups used to face tons of red tape. Now, the city is actively adjusting regulations to make them viable.
By recognizing that not everyone needs or wants a full-sized apartment, Seattle is creating more choices—especially for students, single adults, and lower-income residents. It’s a shift toward housing that actually reflects how people live today, not just how they lived 50 years ago. These new rules offer a fresh path forward.
6. Sacramento is using zoning changes to boost infill development.
Sacramento is betting big on infill housing—adding new homes within already developed areas—by loosening zoning restrictions that once discouraged it. They’ve made it easier to convert existing structures or build on underused lots in urban neighborhoods. That means more homes without building out into the suburbs.
Infill development makes a lot of sense in cities that want to preserve green space and reduce car dependence. Sacramento’s changes help keep growth compact and walkable. It also means neighborhoods can evolve without losing their character, making better use of what’s already there.
7. Boulder is allowing cooperative housing across the city.
Boulder’s housing laws now support cooperative living arrangements, where unrelated individuals share housing and split costs. Previously, strict occupancy limits made co-ops nearly impossible. The new rules increase the number of unrelated people allowed per house, making shared housing more accessible and legal.
For students, artists, and anyone living on a tight budget, co-ops can be a lifesaver. Boulder’s move gives these groups a legitimate way to afford housing in an expensive city. It’s also creating tighter-knit communities where people rely on each other in meaningful ways, not just financially.
8. Denver is mandating affordable units in new developments.
Denver passed a law that requires developers to include affordable housing units in larger residential projects. It’s not a suggestion—it’s mandatory. If developers choose not to comply, they have to pay into a fund that supports affordable housing elsewhere in the city.
This kind of inclusionary zoning helps fight displacement and gentrification by making sure that lower-income residents aren’t priced out of new developments. Denver’s approach ensures that growth doesn’t come at the cost of diversity. It’s a solid attempt to keep neighborhoods mixed and accessible.
9. Raleigh is making duplexes and triplexes legal in all neighborhoods.
Raleigh used to be locked into single-family housing patterns, but now it allows duplexes and triplexes in any neighborhood. That’s a major shift for a Southern city with deep suburban roots. It’s opening the door to more flexible, affordable living options in areas that were once off-limits to anything but a single house.
The change gives residents more control over how their neighborhoods grow. Homeowners can add rental units, and renters can access neighborhoods with better schools or parks. Raleigh is quietly joining the housing revolution and doing it in a way that feels organic and balanced.
10. Berkeley is ending exclusionary zoning to promote equity.
Berkeley—where single-family zoning was born a century ago—has now ended it. That symbolic reversal speaks volumes. The city has committed to allowing more diverse housing types in all neighborhoods, aiming to undo decades of racially and economically exclusionary policies.
By opening up housing across the board, Berkeley hopes to create more equitable access to opportunity. The change is more than just policy—it’s a statement about values. It sends a clear message: everyone deserves a shot at living in a safe, thriving neighborhood, regardless of income or background.
11. Los Angeles is expanding its transit-oriented communities program.
Los Angeles is linking housing reform with transportation by expanding its Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program. This initiative encourages developers to build higher-density housing near public transit, with bonuses for including affordable units. It’s designed to reduce car dependency and create more vibrant, walkable neighborhoods.
The TOC program is reshaping entire corridors of the city, bringing new energy and diversity to places that were once dominated by strip malls and parking lots. It’s a smart way to address both housing and climate goals at the same time. LA’s car culture might not be dead, but it’s definitely evolving.
12. Salt Lake City is overhauling parking minimums to allow more housing.
Salt Lake City is slashing outdated parking requirements for new developments, especially near transit lines. Those rules used to force builders to devote too much space to parking lots, driving up construction costs and limiting what could be built. Now, more of that space can go to actual homes.
By rethinking parking, Salt Lake is making it easier to build dense, walkable neighborhoods. It’s also a quiet nod to younger generations who are less car-reliant and more interested in location than two-car garages. This change could ripple into more affordable, efficient housing across the city.
13. Phoenix is encouraging mixed-use developments to revitalize neighborhoods.
Phoenix is betting on mixed-use zoning to revitalize older, underused neighborhoods. Instead of dividing spaces strictly into residential, commercial, or industrial, the city is promoting developments that blend all three. Think apartments above coffee shops, or retail spaces next to townhomes.
This kind of urban design makes neighborhoods more lively, walkable, and self-contained. People can live, work, and play in the same area—cutting down on traffic and fostering a stronger sense of place. It’s a major shift for a city once dominated by sprawl and strip malls, and it’s gaining traction fast.