Single-Family Zoning
Definition
Zoning laws restricting areas to detached single-family homes only, prohibiting duplexes, apartments, and other housing types. Originated in 1920s as exclusionary tool and now drives housing costs up while limiting options.
Louisville Context
Louisville zones much of its residential land for single-family only, where building a duplex is not allowed. This creates: housing shortage (limiting supply), sprawl (forcing development outward), income segregation (concentrating affordable housing in limited areas), and high costs (artificial scarcity). Most Louisville neighborhoods with single-family zoning contain pre-existing duplexes and apartments built before restrictive zoning.
Why It Matters
Single-family-only zoning is government deciding you can’t build a duplex on your own property or rent out a basement apartment. It restricts housing supply, drives costs up, forces sprawl, and keeps neighborhoods divided by income. Most ‘character’ neighborhoods people love were built before these restrictions.
My Proposal
End single-family-only zoning. Allow missing middle housing (duplexes, townhomes, small apartments) throughout Louisville while maintaining neighborhood character through design standards, not arbitrary housing-type bans.