Mercatus Scholars Encourage Supreme Court to Examine Zoning Regulations

Mercatus Center Policy Research Manager Emily Hamilton and Research Fellows Christopher Koopman and Adam Millsap argue in an amicus brief filed in June that the Supreme Court should take up the case 616 Croft Ave., LLC, v. City of West Hollywood. Teaming up with five other scholars, professors, and experts in land use regulation, their brief explains that this case is an opportunity for the Court to examine inclusionary zoning rules.

Inclusionary zoning requires developers to rent or sell some units in new projects at below-market prices. The brief explains that both economic theory and empirical evidence indicate that inclusionary zoning tends to reduce the supply of housing and increases prices.