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Court Rules Onsite Renewable Energy Permitted In All Zoning Districts

Green Building Law Update

In a hugely important judicial decision advancing onsite renewable energy, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has found ground mounted solar photovoltaics to be an “accessory use” permitted as of right in all zoning districts. Such zoning interpretations risk stalling a key segment of the clean energy sector.

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Zoning Laws Stop Wind

Green Building Law Update

The application of zoning laws, many of which date to the 1920s are bringing alternative energy projects to a halt in 2014. In a recent New York case, the Town of Allegany issued a special use permit to a landowner on July 11, 2011, allowing it to construct a wind farm. Historic zoning laws need to be brought into the contemporary era.

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Building for better fire resilience in WUI zones

Construction Specifier

Yet, building in wildland urban interface (WUI) zones continues at a fast pace. WUI zones are areas of transition between unoccupied land and human development, where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. 1 Why are people still building, and rebuilding in WUI zones?

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The Most Green Building Friendly Zoning Code in the Nation - Baltimore?

Green Building Law Update

Baltimore City is poised to adopt a new zoning code that is among the most ''green building friendly'' land use ordinances in the country. A green building friendly zoning ordinance is significant when so many local codes including land use ordinances across the country stand in the way of sustainability efforts.

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Zoning Regulations Pose Challenges for Regional Builders, but Three Female-Led Projects May Help

Pro Builder

Zoning Regulations Pose Challenges for Regional Builders, but Three Female-Led Projects May Help. These trailblazing women are digitizing zoning codes and regulations to help builders create more affordable housing. Mon, 07/11/2022 - 10:22.

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Can Single-Family Zoning Be Meaningfully Reversed?

Pro Builder

Can Single-Family Zoning Be Meaningfully Reversed? Single-family only zoning has long been the smart bomb NIMBYs and municipalities used to keep out developments that would add density, multifamily, and “those people” of a different race, ethnicity, or class from moving into their neighborhoods. Wed, 10/06/2021 - 10:19. Affordability.

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Sacramento on Brink of Reversing Residential Zoning

Pro Builder

Sacramento on Brink of Reversing Residential Zoning. Sacramento is close to approving one of the country’s first plans to end single-family residential zoning, which permits only one home on a property. Sacramento’s mayor and a group of activists strongly support the zoning proposal, hoping to stand as a leader to other cities.