Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Florida state legislators are considering a proposal to legalize accessory dwelling units across the state.
As Giulia Carbonaro explains in Newsweek, “On top of climbing home prices, homeowners in the state are struggling with rising homeowners association (HOA) fees, high property insurance premiums, and other growing housing costs which are increasingly outpricing Floridians and forcing them to sell their homes and move.”
Now, two proposed bills would require municipalities to allow ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, with exceptions for planned developments. Lawmakers hope ADUs could offer an affordable housing option for the state’s lower-income workers.
Carbonaro adds, “While the granny flats would also face property taxes, homeowners would not lose their homestead property exemptions if they add such extensions. A change made to SB 184 by Gaetz earlier this month would also prevent granny flats from being used as short-term rentals—an issue that was raised during discussions of the bill.”
FULL STORY: Florida Could Be About To Get a Lot More Housing
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage
The mayor’s plan includes legalizing ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, eliminating parking requirements, and adding new affordability requirements to buildings with over 20 units.
Montana Supreme Court Upholds Zoning Reform Bills
The decision invalidates a preliminary injunction that blocked two key housing bills.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
DOT Officially Cancels California High-Speed Rail Funding
The Trump administration has repeatedly taken aim at the LA-to-Bay Area rail project, blaming Democratic leaders for cost overruns and delays.
Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software
In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.
DOT Awards 77% of BUILD Grants to Road Projects
Trump’s DOT is directing 87 percent of total grant dollars to states that backed the President in the last election.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie