Regulatory Barriers Database

Search Criteria

1.  Building Codes and Housing

Location(s):	NATIONAL

Highlights

			The authors say that dated and suspect research indicates that code requirements increase the cost of housing by five percent or less.
			The authors contend that additional research needs to be undertaken to quantify the impact that codes have on increasing housing costs.

2.  Spokane Municipal Code

Location(s):	Washington	Spokane

Highlights

			There is implicit recognition that some new building materials may not meet the requirements of existing codes.
			Spokane allows alternative building methods and materials for residential buildings that do not have to comply with the City’s building regulations.

3.  Electronic Permitting Systems and How to Implement Them

Location(s):	NATIONAL

Highlights

			Building departments are confronted with overextended staff, increased demand for permitting services and pressure to provide better customer service.
			In this guide, HUD helps users understand how to select and implement an electronic permitting system.

4.  Shipping Containers Become Distinctive Housing on Land

Location(s):	California	Manhattan Beach

Highlights

			There is implicit recognition that building and housing codes do not allow the use of nontraditional building materials to support affordable housing development.
			A modern residential property was constructed out of recycled steel containers in Manhattan Beach, California; the containers are less costly than traditional building materials.

5.  Affordable By Design

Location(s):	California	San Francisco

Highlights

			This report states that rigid building codes can discourage development of housing affordable to middle-income households in San Francisco, California.
			This report recommends allowing flexibility within the city's building code to facilitate construction of additional housing units than would normally be permitted.

6.  Regulations and Housing Development: What We Know

Location(s):	NATIONAL

Highlights

			This article indicates that building codes may have requirements that discourage the development of affordable housing.
			This article notes that some states have adopted "smart codes" to reduce code barriers and encourage increasing the affordable housing supply.

7.  Rules that Make Sense - New Jersey's Rehabilitation Subcode

Location(s):	New Jersey

Highlights

			There is implicit recognition that building codes can restrict the production of affordable housing.
			The state of New Jersey adopted the Rehabilitation Subcode to allow more flexibility in renovating older properties and increase the supply of affordable housing.

8.  Thinking about Building Codes

Location(s):	New York	New York City

Highlights

			Complex, outdated, and redundant building code regulations in New York City directly impact the costs to develop housing.
			New York is trying to implement the International Building Code to create clear, comprehensive, and flexible building codes.

9.  Rehabilitating Rehab Through State Building Codes

Location(s):	Maryland
	New Jersey
	Pennsylvania

Highlights

			There is implicit recognition that traditional building codes may negatively impact the supply of affordable housing.
			This article states that rehabilitation codes establish guidelines for rehabilitation projects, which can help increase the supply of affordable housing.

10.  Affordable Housing Toolkit for Communities in the Chicago Region

Location(s):	NATIONAL
	Illinois	Chicago

Highlights

			There is implicit recognition that the current rehabilitation codes may discourage the redevelopment of affordable housing.
			The toolkit suggests that flexible rehabilitation codes and a selection of standardized rehab processes can reduce costs associated with affordable housing rehab.