The major tools that communities use to manage land use are comprehensive planning, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and growth management policies. NAR supports land use regulations that strike a fair and reasonable balance between private property rights and community interests.

NAR Resources

NAR's Land Use Initiative and Memo Database (NAR members only) NAR's Land Use Initiative is used by associations looking for an analysis of pending local land-use regulations and ordinances. Use this service to help you craft your association's response to proposed local ordinances so that you can respond to the proposal in a way that best supports your members. The Land Use Memo Database is a compilation of all previous Land Use Initiative analyses, which is searchable by state and topic. Use this tool to help you research various land use management proposals and their impact on the real estate industry.

NAR Smart Growth e-News Quarterly Report (NAR members only) A quarterly e-News report provides information and status on land use and growth related initiatives at the state and local levels for all 50 states.

NAR Custom State Smart Growth Legislation Program (NAR members only) Free expert assistance with the creation of legislation at the state level to deal with land use and smart growth issues. Available to state REALTORS® associations.

NAR Sponsors Study of Land Supply Monitoring Sponsored by NAR and conducted by the University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth helps local governments develop better techniques for understanding land supply and demand in their areas.

Washington State Growth Management Act Analysis Commissioned by NAR, examined how the Washington Growth Management Act has worked out in practice.

NAR Growth Management Fact Book (NAR members only) The Growth Management Fact Book describes the techniques local and state governments use to control land use and manage growth.

NAR Field Guides

Development Impact Fees
Downzoning
Impacts of Property Taxes on Real Estate
Inclusionary Zoning
New Urbanism
Smart Growth & Growth Management
Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs)
Zoning Laws & Ordinances

Other Resources

Getting to Smart Growth: 100 Policies for Implementation and Getting to Smart Growth II: 100 More Policies for Implementation
These reports, by the Smart Growth Network and International City/County Management Association(ICMA), provide policy options for states and communities who want to achieve smart growth and more livable communities. These options can be mixed and matched to fit local circumstances, visions, and values. The reports include practical tips and also highlight steps that the private sector can take to encourage more livable communities.

Brookings Institution Center on Metropolitan Studies The Bookings Institution Center on Metropolitan Policy seeks to shape a new generation of urban policies that will help build strong cities and metropolitan regions. The site contains policy briefs, news articles and studies. Information on state-by-state growth management legislation is also available at the site.

Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech The Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech (MI) conducts basic and applied research on national and international development patterns, focusing on key forces shaping metropolitan growth such as demographics, environment, technology, design, transportation, and governance. It seeks to expand knowledge in urban and metropolitan affairs in order to improve policy and practice, and educate the general public on important issues facing communities

Local Government Commission The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization that provides inspiration, technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials and other dedicated community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities.

The Reason Public Policy Institute A public policy think tank promoting choice, competition, and a dynamic market economy as the foundation for human dignity and progress. Land Use and development is one of the Institute's major policy areas.

The Smart Growth Network The Smart Growth Network partners include environmental groups, government agencies, real estate groups, and professional organizations. The Network works to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment, and is a forum for sharing information and promoting Smart Growth "best practices."

Form-Based Codes Institute Form-based codes focus on the physical form (rather than separation of land uses) as the organizing principle for the code.  These codes are an alternative to conventional zoning and are used to get more predictable design results and a high-quality public realm.

 

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