According to Plan – The history of zoning and the future of Washington communities

One hundred years ago, with Village of Euclid vs. Ambler Realty Co., the Supreme Court established the constitutionality of zoning. From there, this relatively new practice took off, separating factories from houses, setting building heights and lot sizes, and in its ugliest application, serving as de facto redlining. Today, this hyperlocal process is interacting with state mandates to accommodate regional growth, spawning debate over control, inclusion, and sustainability.

To assess how land use policy can advance its goals, Washington compiled code from 320 jurisdictions into the Washington State Zoning Atlas. Co-creator Tamara Laninga will share findings from the atlas, walk us through the fascinating history of zoning, and reveal the land use policy that lies beneath our most livable communities.