Zoning Glossary

Middle Housing

Middle housing refers to residential building types that occupy the density tier between a detached single-family home and a large apartment complex — including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters, and townhomes. These building types were historically permitted in many American cities but were progressively excluded as single-family-only zoning became dominant in the mid-twentieth century. A wave of state and local reforms beginning in the late 2010s has restored middle housing allowances in residential zones, requiring local governments to allow these building types by-right in areas that previously permitted only single-family homes.

Zoning

In Practice

Allowing middle housing by-right means a property owner may build a duplex, triplex, or other qualifying housing type without discretionary review, public hearings, or neighbor objection — the project needs only to meet objective development standards such as setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage. States including Oregon, Washington, and California have enacted mandates requiring local jurisdictions to allow middle housing types in residential zones. If your property is in a jurisdiction subject to such a mandate, check the applicable state law to understand which building types are now permitted as of-right and what objective design standards govern the project.

Source: States That Have Eliminated Single-Family Zoning · Verified June 1, 2026

Related Terms

Single-Family ZoningResidential ZoningR-1 ZoningAccessory Dwelling Unit

Related Guides

States That Have Eliminated Single-Family Zoning

Source: PropertyZoned Zoning Guide — States That Have Eliminated Single-Family Zoning. Last verified June 1, 2026.

Last updated: June 1, 2026
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Middle Housing — Zoning Term Definition | PropertyZoned