The Effects of Land-Use Constraints on Housing Prices

Abstract

This paper estimates the direct and spillover effects of zoning controls along with other growth restrictions on housing prices. Theory leads us to expect a positive effect of land-use restrictions on the price of developed land and a negative effect on the price of undeveloped land. We consider the effects on housing prices, and hence the effects on developed land. Other studies have examined the impact of separate components of land-use controls within a locality. We show that specific growth controls must be examined in the overall context of local land-use policy, and that interjurisdictional as well as intrajurisdictionael effects must be considered.