Local Ordinances for Climate Adaptation & Mitigation

Local Ordinances to Facilitate Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-Oriented Development: Enabling transit-oriented development (TOD) to reduce reliance on cars and improve access to clean, affordable transit options like subways.

• Local Ordinances to Facilitate Transit-Oriented Development (PDF)
• Potential for implementation in Maryland, New York, Connecticut, and Maine (PDF)

About

Local and state governments have opportunities to promote transit-oriented development by reforming the laws and regulations that govern land use near transit. Local governments, in particular, generally exercise direct control over land use by enacting zoning ordinances to define allowable development in given areas, typically referred to as “zone” or “districts.” Many existing zoning laws limit housing construction and mixed-use development in locations near transit hubs, making housing less affordable and new development more spread out. Revisions to zoning laws to ease such restrictions and allow for greater density near public transportation can be an effective method to enable TOD. At the state level, state governments can adopt policies to encourage localities to consider zoning reforms. For example, Massachusetts and Colorado have recently passed laws requiring local jurisdictions to update their zoning to allow for higher-density housing near transit stations.