Houston's Minimum-Lot-Size Cuts
Shrinking minimum lots produced 25,000+ small-lot homes.
A · 21/24
1 · The idealist case (in its proponents' own framing)
Let owners subdivide and the market builds starter homes.
2 · The realist counter-case
Critics feared overcrowding and loss of character.
3 · Predicted vs. measured — with caveats
1998-99 cuts (5,000 to 1,400 sqft) yielded 34,000+ townhomes 2007-20 with no subsidy; a clean natural experiment in a no-zoning city.
4 · Liberty check
Maximizes owner freedom to build; deed restrictions remain a check.
5 · The real tradeoff
A market-tested supply win, with transferability caveats.
Watch · narrated explainer video
Narrated commentary video (with audio). More on the Video page.
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