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Zoning and Land Use

Small-scale changes can help communities revitalize and thrive

AARP Livable Communities

FEATURED RESOURCES

Enabling Better Places

Enabling Better Places

Small-scale land use and zoning changes can help communities revitalize and thrive. Learn how in this publication for local leaders and community advocates

6 circular icons showing illustrations representing terms used in zoning and land use planning

A Zoning Vocabulary List

The terminology used in zoning codes and land use policies can be confusing. Here's a glossary of words and phrases used in planning dialogues and documents. 

The links on this page represent just some of what's available. 

Zoning-related content can also be found via AARP International's Equity by Design: Global Dialogue and Equity by Design: Principles in Action series and the AARP Public Policy Institute's Future of Housing website.

FREE PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

The ABC's of ADUs

Accessory Dwelling Units: A Step by Step Guide to Design and Development

ADU Model State Act and Local Ordinance

Enabling Better Places: A Handbook for Improved Neighborhoods

Making Room: Housing for a Changing America

A Zoning Vocabulary List

INSPIRING CHANGE AND SOLUTIONS

How Small, Incremental Zoning Code Updates Can Improve Livability (2023)

Zoning is a Key Ingredient for Community Change and Improvement (2023)

MAIN STREETS AND MORE

Helping Commercial Districts Manage and Respond to COVID-19 (2020)

Video: Building Support for Code Reform (2020)

THE HOME ZONE

Vermont Has a Plan for Creating More Housing (2023)

Prioritizing Housing Over Parking (2021)

Universal Design and Livability (2021)

The Past and Future Visions for Aging in Place (2019)

Skyler: A Future Vision for Aging in Place (2019)

Two Houses in One for a Home Within a Home (2016)

Housing for Intentional Living (2019)

Homesharing: A Win-Win for the 50+ (2016)

20 Questions and Answers about Co-Housing (2016)

Tiny Houses Are Becoming a Big Deal (2015)

Slideshow: Take a Tiny House Tour (2015)

6 Creative Age-Friendly Housing Options (2014)

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Accessory Dwelling Units with Eli Spevak, Kol Peterson and Elizabeth Decker (2019)

Dan Parolek on Missing Middle Housing (2016)

Sarah Susanka on Small Housing for Boomers and Beyond (2015)

Richard Duncan on Universal Design (2014)

POLICY

Website: The Future of Housing

AARP Inclusive Home Design State Advocacy Tool Kit (2014)

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Zoning and Land Use

 

 

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