Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act

The Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act aims to address the U.S. housing shortage by helping states and local governments reform zoning and land-use regulations that limit housing construction. It provides federal technical assistance to states and localities for eliminating exclusionary zoning practices, such as minimum lot sizes and parking requirements, and for developing affordable housing options. The bill establishes guidelines for state and local zoning frameworks, creates a grant program for pre-approved affordable housing designs (like duplexes and accessory units), and funds a national zoning mapping initiative to digitize zoning codes. These changes directly affect local governments, housing developers, and low-to-moderate income households by making it easier to build more housing options across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The act does not preempt local zoning authority but offers resources to help communities increase housing supply without increasing barriers to construction.