Transit-oriented development (TOD) creates dense, mixed-use, and walkable communities close to stations served by frequent and reliable public transportation. It can reduce transportation costs, pollution, and traffic congestion while increasing transit ridership and accommodating growth.
US states are increasingly focusing development near transit. In all but one state, the rate of housing growth near rail stations was more rapid than the statewide rate during the period from 2010 to 2020. This could be a result of several factors, including budding interest in living near transit, new investments in transit service, and altered local land-use policy. States can build on this growth through new state-level regulations and financing aid to help generate more growth in transit areas.
Developing higher-level government planning standards should be a vital element of a broader effort to promote TOD, which includes tracking the performance of transit-oriented development and ensuring development feasibility.
Why States and Provinces Are Regulating Transit-Oriented Development
Many localities have used exclusionary zoning to prevent dense construction, including near transit. As such, in recent years some state and provincial legislatures have passed laws mandating that localities plan for additional housing. These efforts can help ensure that there are accommodating land-use regulations that make way for new projects.
Key Takeaways: How States and Provinces Regulate Density Near Transit
We identified major laws states and provinces have adopted to specifically mandate the implementation of density standards in areas near transit in British Columbia, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Ontario, and Washington. These laws, which have all been enacted since 2020, set requirements that localities must follow regarding zoning, and set a “base,” meaning localities can zone at higher densities if they desire. Key differences include whether higher-level governments change rules based on types of transit or distance from transit stations, and whether laws include affordable housing requirements.
