Why Housing Approvals Stall and How To Accelerate Them

Housing demand is climbing. Developers want to build. Communities need more options.
But approvals are taking longer than ever.

What's Really Slowing Down Housing Projects

Your housing approvals aren't stalling because of one big problem. They're stuck because small barriers keep piling up.

Outdated zoning codes make simple projects complicated. Plan reviews that should take weeks stretch into months. Your planning staff is handling twice the workload with the same resources.

Sound familiar? You're not alone.

Four Ways To Speed Up Housing Approvals

Here's the good news: You don't need to overhaul everything at once. Start with these proven strategies:

1. Update your zoning for "missing middle" housing:  Allow duplexes, townhomes, and small apartments that fit naturally into neighborhoods.
2. Streamline your review process:  Use clear checklists and let departments review simultaneously instead of sequentially.
3. Add flexible support during busy periods:  Third-party reviewers can handle overflow without permanent staffing commitments.
4. Modernize outdated land development codes:  Remove barriers that unintentionally discourage infill and redevelopment.

These changes can cut approval times by 30-50% without sacrificing quality or community input.

Turn Your Challenges Into Opportunities

More communities are discovering that housing approval delays aren't just about process — they're about capacity and outdated rules.

That's where strategic updates make the biggest difference. When you align your zoning with today's housing needs and add surge capacity during peak periods, projects move faster.

Developers get clearer guidance. Your community gets the housing it needs. The key is being proactive — don't wait until your backlog becomes a crisis.

Get Housing Projects Moving Again

Housing approval delays aren't permanent, but they won't fix themselves.

Want to see how other communities are cutting approval times? Our webinar Accelerating Housing and Development Projects Through Zoning and Approvals shows the specific strategies that work — from zoning updates to third-party support — without compromising quality. Let's get started!!