Local governments often require developers to provide land, fees, or affordable units as conditions of approval—known as “exactions.” Mercatus research explores how these policies affect housing affordability, property rights, and constitutional limits on land use regulation.
Policies such as impact fees, inclusionary zoning, and other development exactions aim to balance growth and community needs—but they can also raise housing costs and spark questions about fairness and legality.
Mercatus Center research examines how such regulations affect housing markets, property rights, and state efforts to ensure reasonable limits on local authority. From scholarly analysis to Supreme Court amicus briefs, this body of work provides a roadmap for policymakers seeking reform grounded in both economics and constitutional law.