Ranked by annual supply increase. Click a state for details.
Data is limited to land within subject jurisdictions, defined as either (1) a municipality that has a population of at least 1,000, as reported by the state demography office, and is within a metropolitan planning organization or (2) the portion of a county that is within a census designated place with a population of 40,000 or more, as reported in the most recent decennial census, and within a metropolitan planning organization. Municipality population totals from the Colorado state demography office were obtained from the SDO's data resource page. Population totals from the decennial census use the 2020 census. Data is further limited to land within Colorado Water and Sanitation Districts, obtained from the Colorado Geospatial Portal. At a minimum lot size of 2,000 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 12 homes per acre, on average. For lot splits, we assume that the minimum lot size applies; thus, a lot must be at least 4,000 sq.ft. in order to be eligible for a lot split.
For this analysis, the 5,000 sq.ft. cap applies to new residential subdivisions and lot splits, corresponding to Options #1-2 of the AEI Housing Center Playbook, respectively. For lot splits, a lot must be at least 10,000 sq.ft. under the 5,000 sq.ft. minimum lot size cap to be eligible for a lot split, and only lot splits of up to three are allowed. All results are the sum of Options #1 and #2 and assume that a public water and sewer system is available. Connecticut's Department of Public Health and Department of Energy and Environment Protection publish geospatial data for land with public water and sewer access (water access data available here, and sewer access data available here).
Results assume that public water and sewer are available. To estimate the share of parcels with both public water and sewer, we take the average of the share of parcels with public water and share with sewer, obtained from the Florida Water Management Inventory Project. In calculating the extra homes per year in new residential subdivisions, we multiply the share of parcels with both public water and sewer by the total homes built in subdivisions in each county. This amounts to about a 30% haircut in the new residential subdivision projections. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates. At a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 13.5 homes per acre on average.
Results assume that public water and sewer are available. To estimate the share of parcels with both public water and sewer, we take the average of the share of parcels with public water and share with sewer, obtained from the Florida Water Management Inventory Project. In calculating the extra homes per year in new residential subdivisions, we multiply the share of parcels with both public water and sewer by the total homes built in subdivisions in each county. This amounts to about a 30% haircut in the new residential subdivision projections. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates. At a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 13.5 homes per acre on average.
Assumes that local governments must establish transit-oriented development (TOD) zones within 1/2 mile of a permanent public transit stop, meaning bus rapid transit, commuter rail, intercity rail, fixed-guideway, or streetcar stops. Thus, data is limited to residential, commercial, and mixed-use zones within 1/2 mile of a permanent public transit stop. Data excludes aerial trams, cable rail, and heavy rail.
See the ADU total for Florida state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
Data is limited to Hawaii's urban districts and excludes all land within FEMA designated special flood hazard areas. At a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 13.5 homes per acre on average. For lot splits, a lot must be at least 2,400 sq.ft. to be split under a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft.
Data is limited to Hawaii's urban districts and excludes all land within FEMA designated special flood hazard areas. At a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 13.5 homes per acre on average. For lot splits, a lot must be at least 2,400 sq.ft. to be split under a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft.
Only applies to new residential subdivisions that are 4 acres or larger in size. To determine subdivision sizes, we define a contiguous subdivision as a cluster of 10 to 5,000 new single-family homes built in subdivisions that share the same subdivision name within the same city. Homes in contiguous subdivisions with missing subdivision names are omitted. 99.7% of homes built in subdivisions since 2000 in Idaho had subdivision names. In calculating and applying contiguous subdivision sizes, a 30% allotment is included to account for streets. 76% of new subdivisions built since 2000 in Idaho are at least 4 acres in size. At a minimum lot size of 1,000 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 14 homes per acre on average.
For Option #1, data excludes homes with a living area greater than or equal to 3,000 sq.ft. and lot size greater than the 90th percentile for small homes with a living area less than 3,000 sq.ft. (about 15,700 sq.ft. lot sizes). This excludes about 10% of homes built in subdivisions from 2000-2024 in Kansas and captures homes that are too large to fit on a 3,000 sq.ft. lot and on lots too large that a builder wouldn't downsize to a 3,000 sq.ft. home. For Option #2, data excludes homes with a living area greater than or equal to 3,000 sq.ft. At a minimum lot size of 3,000 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 11 homes per acre on average.
For Option #1, we include all areas of counties with a population greater than or equal to 20,000. At a minimum lot size of 3,000 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields approximately 11 homes per acre on average. For Option #3, as in the Playbook, we include only cities with a population greater than or equal to 10,000. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates.
See the Kentucky state Playbook Option #3 (flexibility to build homes near jobs) total: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/housing_playbook.
See the ADU total for Kentucky state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
Assumes any existing lot may be split into two lots. See the total at a maximum number of conversion units per parcel of two for Kentucky state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
Limits to counties with a population of 150,000 or greater. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates.
Limits to counties with a population of 150,000 or greater. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates.
For this analysis, the 5,000 sq.ft. cap applies to new residential subdivisions and lot splits, corresponding to Options #1-2 of the AEI Housing Center Playbook, respectively. For lot splits, a lot must be at least 10,000 sq.ft. under the 5,000 sq.ft. minimum lot size cap to be eligible for a lot split. All results are the sum of Options #1 and #2 and assume that a public water and sewer system is available. Maryland does not publish statistics on county-level public water and sewer access. Thus, as a proxy for public water and sewer access, we use tract size and density. Tracts with 95% or more of all homes are on a half-acre or greater and an average density of less than or equal to 1.5 homes per acre are excluded from all calculations.
For this analysis, the 5,000 sq.ft. cap applies to new residential subdivisions and lot splits, corresponding to Options #1-2 of the AEI Housing Center Playbook, respectively. For lot splits, a lot must be at least 10,000 sq.ft. under the 5,000 sq.ft. minimum lot size cap to be eligible for a lot split. All results are the sum of Options #1 and #2 and assume that a public water and sewer system is available. Maryland does not publish statistics on county-level public water and sewer access. Thus, as a proxy for public water and sewer access, we use tract size and density. Tracts with 95% or more of all homes are on a half-acre or greater and an average density of less than or equal to 1.5 homes per acre are excluded from all calculations.
For Option #1, we assume that there is no change in the lot sizes of single-family detached (SFD) homes, but 25% of SFD land is reserved for middle housing (i.e., single-family attached). We limit to subdivisions with at least 20 lots. In Maryland, 72% of new residential subdivisions built from 2000-2024 had at least 20 lots. Thus, the Option #1 projection is adjusted by 72%. For Option #2, we limit viable infill conversion lots to vacant lots that existed before Jan. 2015. All results are the sum of Options #1 and #2 and assume that a public water and sewer system is available. Maryland does not publish statistics on county-level public water and sewer access. Thus, as a proxy for public water and sewer access, we use tract size and density. Tracts with 95% or more of all homes are on a half-acre or greater and an average density of less than or equal to 1.5 homes per acre are excluded from all calculations.
About 40% of properties in Maryland's commercial zones are 1/2 mile from major public transit. Thus, this projection is 40% of the Maryland state Playbook Option #3 total (7,300 * 0.4 = 2,920).
See the ADU total for Maryland state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
For this analysis, the 10,000 sq.ft. cap applies only to new residential subdivisions, corresponding to Option #1 of the Playbook. For lot splits, up to 5 are allowed on land with public water and sewer access, and up to 3 are allowed on land without water and sewer access. ADUs are assumed to a by-right use on all land regardless of water/sewer access. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection publishes water and sewer utility service boundaries. We mapped homes in our property-level data to these boundaries for the Option #2 analysis.
For Option #1, data is limited to properties with public water and sewer access. Michigan does not publish data on public water and sewer access; thus, as a proxy for public water and sewer access, we use tract size and density. Tracts with 95% or more of all homes are on a half-acre or greater and an average density of less than or equal to 1.5 homes per acre are excluded from all calculations. At a minimum lot size of 1,500 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields 13 homes per acre on average.
Specific bill details not to be disclosed. See AEI Housing Center Playbook methodology for general methodological notes: https://www.aei.org/strong-foundations-a-playbook-for-housing-and-economic-growth-methodology/.
County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates. Data is limited to counties with a population greater than 700,000.
See the ADU total for Nebraska state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
This bill allows ADUs, duplexes, and townhomes in residential zones and residential in commercial with no restrictions. Since it doesn't specify a minimum lot size, we defaulted to our Playbook projection for Options #2 and 3 for New Mexico state. See the New Mexico Playbook here: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/housing_playbook.
This bill stipulates that counties cannot establish minimum lot sizes. Therefore, we defaulted to our Playbook projections for Options #1 and 3 for New Mexico state, excluding ADUs. See the New Mexico Playbook here: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/housing_playbook.
This bill contains drafting ambiguities that impact the projection. We assume that multifamily housing (including duplexes and townhomes) in both residential and commercial zones must be within 1/4 mile of a major public transit stop. We interpret the bill's allowable minimum density of 10 units per acre for multifamily as implying a minimum lot size of no greater than 4,356 sq.ft. About 10% of properties in Nebraska's commercial zones are 1/4 mile from major public transit. Thus, the Option #3 projection is 10% of the Nebraska state Playbook Option #3 total (150 * 0.1 = 150).
See Option #3 total for North Carolina state Playbook here: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/housing_playbook.
All estimates are limited to municipalities with a population above 50,000 in counties with a population above 275,000. North Carolina does not publish recent data on public water and sewer access. Thus, as a proxy for public water and sewer access, we use tract size and density. Tracts with 95% or more of all homes are on a half-acre or greater and an average density of less than or equal to 1.5 homes per acre are excluded from all calculations. At a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields 13.5 homes per acre on average. For Option #2, we assume lot splits up to 10 are permitted if each lot meets the 1,200 sq.ft. minimum lot size.
See the ADU total for North Carolina state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
Data on public water and sewer access are obtained from the Rhode Island Geographic Information System Water Supply Districts and Sewered Areas. For minimum lot sizes of 2,500 and 5,000 sq.ft., we assume a distribution of lot sizes that yields 11.5 and 8 homes per acre on average. For Option #3, data is limited to municipalities with a population greater than 40,000. To account for the requirement that municipalities provide a minimum of 30% of land in commercial areas for residential overlays, we multiply each eligible municipality's Option #3 total by 30%.
This bill permits residential in commercial on 75% of commercial land. Thus, we calculated the impact as 75% of the Virginia state Playbook Option #3 total (9,300 * 0.75 = 6,975). See the Virginia Playbook here: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/housing_playbook.
Data is limited to cities with a population above 20,000 or parcels within a designated metropolitan planning area. The Option #3 total is then adjusted downward by 25%, reflecting the bill's permitting residential in commercial on 75% of commercial land.
See the ADU total for Virginia state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
See the ADU total for Virginia state on the AEI Housing Center Light Touch Density Price Chart: https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/ltd_chart.
Data is limited to counties that are required to fully plan under Washington's Growth Management Act with a population of 30,000 or greater. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates.
Data is limited to counties that are required to fully plan under Washington's Growth Management Act with a population of 30,000 or greater. County population totals use the higher of the 2023 ACS 1-Year or 5-Year survey population estimates.
Data is limited to municipalities only (i.e., incorporated cities, towns, or consolidated city-counties). Unincorporated county land is excluded from the total.
Data is limited to municipalities only (i.e., incorporated cities, towns, or consolidated city-counties). Unincorporated county land is excluded from the total. The Option #2 ADU total is then adjusted downward by 65%, as ADUs are a permitted use on only 35% of residential land under this bill.
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This tracker monitors state-level legislation that could increase housing supply by reforming local zoning regulations. The bills tracked here align with the AEI Housing Center’s State Playbook, a comprehensive guide for state legislators to unlock housing production through targeted reforms.
The annual supply increase percentage compares projected new homes from proposed legislation to the average number of homes built per year in each state from 2010-2023 (according to American Community Survey data). For example, +107% means the legislation could more than double the state’s typical annual housing production.
The AEI Housing Center Playbook identifies three state-level options to unlock new housing supply using small lots:
KISS (Keep It Short and Simple) reforms eliminate unnecessary complexity in the homebuilding process. These include:
Each bill is rated on how closely it aligns with the Playbook’s recommended provisions, measured as a percentage of the Playbook option’s projected homes:
* Housing supply projections depend on KISS implementation. “Poison pills” such as rent control, income requirements, and/or municipal discretion can reduce or eliminate benefits. Projections assume that bills with similar reforms are independent from one another. See the playbook for more detail.