The Cumulative Cost of Regulations

72 Pages Posted: 7 Jun 2018

See all articles by Patrick A. McLaughlin

Patrick A. McLaughlin

Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Date Written: 04/26/2016

Abstract

To varying degrees, most municipalities regulate urban development with zoning, density restrictions, and parking requirements. Such policies restrict the housing supply and urban density relative to what it could be in a free market. In this paper, we review the literature that measures the price effects of a variety of land-use regulations. Most of these studies find that both traditional land-use policies and newer policies, such as smart growth and inclusionary zoning, increase the cost of housing. And because housing takes up a larger share of the budgets of lower-income households relative to higher-income households, these policies are regressive—a disproportionate share of their costs falls on the relatively poor.

Suggested Citation

McLaughlin, Patrick A., The Cumulative Cost of Regulations (04/26/2016). MERCATUS WORKING PAPER, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3191402 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3191402

Patrick A. McLaughlin

Mercatus Center at George Mason University ( email )

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