Single-Family Zoning

Single-family-only zoning is the practice of designating residential land exclusively for detached single-family homes, prohibiting duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and most multi-family housing types in the designated zone. A single-family-only zone allows only one primary dwelling unit per parcel. This form of zoning became dominant across American residential land use in the early twentieth century and has been subject to significant legislative reform in recent years as states and cities have enacted laws allowing additional housing types by-right in previously single-family-only zones.