HUD would publish voluntary zoning guidelines to spur homebuilding under new bill

What does this do?

HR 2840 directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop and publish voluntary guidelines and best practices that states and cities can use to reform their zoning laws and allow more housing to be built. HUD has three years to publish the guidelines and must gather public comments and consult a task force of planners, builders, housing advocates, community members, researchers, and local officials along the way. Specific topics the guidelines must cover include reduced parking requirements, smaller lot sizes, duplexes and accessory dwelling units, faster permitting, transit-oriented housing, and protections for lower-income residents.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects state and local governments that control zoning and land use decisions, as well as housing developers, builders, and renters or homebuyers facing high housing costs. The guidelines are nonbinding, so no community is required to change its laws, though the bill notes the guidelines could influence future federal grant decisions.

Why does it matter?

The bill replaces an older federal program called the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse with this new approach. Five years after the guidelines are published, HUD must report to Congress on which states and cities actually used them.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Up to $3M per year, 2026–2030
• Funds HUD guideline development
• Total period: up to 5 years