do zoning regulations contribute to the housing crisis 
low density residential zoning regulations have contributed to the housing crisis in areas with limited opportunities for expansion formerly small cities that have exploded in population like palo alto calif are full of areas zoned for low density if they stay low density then their housing crisis will continue to worsen however locals in these low density areas usually strongly oppose any proposals to build more dense neighborhoods 1the bottom linezoning ordinances exist to help cities keep their character as they grow they prevent a factory from being built in your backyard or a residential high rise from being built miles away from any transportation hubs or roads built for high capacity as populations rise globally particularly in urban areas cities will need to adjust some residential ordinances to allow for higher density housing 