How Houston Keeps Housing Affordable

Houston, Texas, stands out among major U.S. cities for its unconventional approach to zoning—or rather, its historical lack thereof. Since its founding in 1836, Houston has largely operated without traditional zoning laws. Attempts to introduce formal zoning regulations were rejected by voters in referendums held in 1948, 1962, and 1993. This long-standing tradition of minimal zoning oversight has shaped a city where residential, commercial, and industrial properties often coexist in close proximity.