Expansive commercial, agricultural, and residential land development, climate change, and the introduction of non-native and invasive plants have diminished or destroyed many natural habitats that have taken decades to adapt and flourish. Local governments are proposing policy changes and passing legislation to help communities plant with the purpose of reconnecting to their “native plant roots.”
Municipalities are adapting to the rise in electric bicycles in their communities.
Solar energy is the fastest growing and most affordable source of new electricity. But local governments are now blocking green energy projects faster than they’re building them.
Public art can play a crucial role in enhancing the health and wellbeing of a community. Municipalities are finding ways to legislatively support these unique creations while maintaining the character and aesthetics of their communities.
Today more and more local governments have come to embrace street performers or “buskers” as a community asset that plays a significant role in promoting commerce, human expression, and community engagement. As such, many cities have worked long and hard to develop set rules and guidelines that both encourage and control busking.
Affordable housing is a crisis-level issue affecting most communities across the United States. A key strategy for local governments seeking to address these challenges is zoning reform – specifically upzoning.
The summer season is always a good time to brush up on pool safety and the rules and regulations everyone must follow. As enjoyable as backyard swimming can be, not following local safety ordinances such as adequate, secure fencing, proper flotation devices and supervision can result in unnecessary injury or even death for swimmers of all ages.
Cats that stray or live in feral conditions can cause havoc for the neighborhoods where they live and roam. Finding solutions to alleviate the issues associated with feral cat populations is largely left to local government.
Despite their popularity, leaf blowers can produce ear-piercing levels of noise. And gas-powered versions can emit toxic levels of pollutants. Governments in many areas are taking steps to address these issues by placing stricter regulations on the use of many types of leaf blowers.
Blighted properties are an ongoing challenge for most communities in the United States. And with the current affordable housing crisis, the topic is a rising concern for local governments. Many are examining their municipal codes to ensure ordinances are enforceable and able to address the current conditions.
As landfills overflow with wasted food and a changing climate depletes fertile land where crops are grown, many communities and government entities are seeing the need and value of rolling out large-scale community composting solutions.
To meet the challenges of climate change, municipalities across the nation are setting goals for greater sustainability, Adopting green building standards and providing an enforceable policy framework is a big step toward achieving these goals.
Today it’s not unusual to see movie and TV production crews descend upon big cities and small towns to scope out unique backdrops for new projects. Many municipalities are creating ordinances aimed at finding a balance between allowing filmmakers free access to their communities and protecting residents’ rights, property, and quality of life.
With the uptick in wildfires across the nation and in neighboring countries, there’s a more keen awareness of environmental and health risks associated with fires, even on a smaller scale. It’s becoming more vital to have open burning ordinances that are clear, understandable, and aligned with state statutes.
Pickleball is not just a fun and popular sport, it can also be a very loud one. Communities where the sport’s noise is a serious problem are beginning to push back by seeking relief through new legislation aimed at lowering the racket.
Many small towns have led the way for golf carts to travel away from the fairway and onto the highway driving local governments to consider legislation to regulate this increasingly popular form of transportation.
Communities across the country are seeing an uptick in street racing in recent years. And many states and local municipalities are taking action to rid the roads of these unlawful events through legislation.
Major natural disasters are occurring at an increasing rate. Local governments can act legislatively to prepare their communities for less damage and loss, a more capable response, and effective guidance to rebuild stronger and better.
Catalytic converters are extremely valuable to thieves. In recent years, the number of thefts has accelerated, prompting governments to pass legislation to curtail the recycling of the stolen devices.
Keeping chickens in urban and suburban areas, while far from being a new concept, has emerged recently as an increasingly popular trend that local governments are now needing to consider legislatively.
With the sale of electric vehicles on the rise, the race is on to build a network of convenient, affordable electric vehicle charging stations to keep the cars running.
Whether it’s optimal star-gazing, ensuring residents’ wellness, or protecting wildlife and natural resources, minimizing light pollution and maximizing dark sky preservation is a topic of high priority for municipalities across the country.
As magical as holiday lights might sometimes be, displays can cause traffic congestion, elevate noise levels, and irritate neighbors. Municipalities can enact regulations to keep these problems at bay.
Bird feeders can lead to an array of issues such as neighbor disputes, health concerns, and a negative impact on the birds themselves, making them a rising topic of concern for local governments.
This increased popularity of All-Terrain Vehicles comes at a steep price as accidents, injuries and deaths have reached alarming levels.
Balloon releases have a serious downside, and many municipalities are enacting legislation to limit or ban the practice.
In drafting sign regulations local governments should be mindful of cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court and how they impact local government ordinances.
The microbrewery industry is one that has seen dynamic growth in the pandemic era. Those who have made the plunge into craft brewing are finding that it can be a daunting task to get up and running in this heavily regulated industry.
Municipalities are debating the use of scooters, e-bikes, and other one-person vehicles in the street space and how to address micromobility legislation.
Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADUs are trending and municipalities are taking a variety of tactics to regulate them.
Farmers markets offer multiple benefits to their communities. How can local governments support them and keep them safe for residents?
Local governments have several legislative options for ensuring that urban gardens provide all the benefits they can without becoming nuisances to neighbors.
Following a pandemic-induced hiatus, festivals and events are on the rise again. Do existing ordinances still cover all the concerns for health, safety, and other related issues in the not-quite-post-COVID world?
Autonomous robots are quickly making inroads in the delivery business. Some municipalities are embracing the use of these mechanical helpers, others are pumping the brakes on their deployment.
Short-term rentals are burgeoning in communities across the country. But not everyone is happy about it; and now COVID-19 is raising even more regulatory concerns.
Since being introduced to the U.S. market in 2007, electronic smoking devices have gone from a possible solution for breaking tobacco addiction, to an increasingly dangerous public health challenge that hasn’t been simple to regulate.
Even in a pandemic, local government doesn’t stand still. Remaining legislatively active, these topics have surfaced as trends for municipal legislators across the country.
Marijuana legalization continues to spread across the country and many at the local level are using their zoning codes to regulate and restrict it within their communities.
As COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen and larger gatherings take place, pre-pandemic concerns about underage drinking are returning. Communities are examining ways to curb this issue, including enacting local ordinances regarding social hosting.
Discrimination can come in many shapes and forms, including age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and more. Banning discrimination based on hairstyle and texture is a rising trend across the country.
Dog parks are one of the top amenities going into communities nationwide, and one of the most in demand. Many local governments have taken action.
During the pandemic, many states enacted legislation allowing alcoholic beverages to be sold as “to-go” items. As food and beverage businesses begin reopening with on-premises dining and drinking, these laws are being reconsidered at the state and local levels.
Fireworks used to be reserved for major holidays and community events. But with some states loosening laws for individual access and use, municipalities are responding to concerns about noise, fire safety, and effects on vets and pets.
As the number of states legalizing the sale and use of marijuana increases, acceptance at the local level is a mixed bag.
Without a steady stream of lunchtime patrons and weekend events during the pandemic, food truck owners are needing to quickly change gears, embracing a move-it or lose-it strategy to stay in business.
This once-in-a century pandemic has not only forced us to change many aspects of our lives for our own health and safety, it has also created a new, and unprecedented surge in the use of single-use plastics.
Acceptance of electric vehicles has been on a long, winding and sometimes detoured road. But with increasing concerns about climate change and dependence on fossil fuels, a renewed interest, and even enthusiasm, has recently accelerated. Is your community EV-Ready?
Dining out has taken on new context in the COVID-19 era. Outdoor dining could lessen the devastating economic impact of the pandemic on the restaurant industry and municipalities are trying to help legislatively.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are more commonly known as drones, and businesses and cities are finding them to be increasingly useful. But can they be regulated at the local level?
The rise of office sheds. All the comforts of your corner office in your backyard.
Even before the recent coronavirus outbreak, affordable housing was an increasing issue of concern across the nation.
Location, location, location – that’s the key to regulating campaign signs
Updating municipal codes to promote health-safety measures for a unified community response
As the pandemic continues to impact communities across the country, local governments are responding with legislation that covers a wide range of critical topics. Stay up-to-date through our new blog series “Legislating in the Age of COVID.”
Updating municipal codes to promote health-safety measures for a unified community response
Updating municipal codes to promote health-safety measures for a unified community response
Communities expanding into desirable natural wildland areas are requiring planners and local governments to adopt new strategies and alliances to help keep residents and property safe.
Local governments are acting to allow service continuity in this time of crisis and to protect the safety and health of constituents, as well as in finding ways to overcome food security issues and economic hardships faced by local businesses.
As permanent bans on plastic bags are enacted, consumers will continue to shift to eco-friendly, reusable bags for carrying groceries and other purchases.
The recent adoption of a Federal Act to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 may require some municipalities to consider changes to their local ordinances.
Despite the growing popularity of e-scooters as a fun and environmentally-friendly way to traverse cities, not all municipalities and regulators are along for the ride.
Across the country, cities and counties are taking a stand against the controversial puppy mill industry by adopting retail pet sale bans.
Urban beekeeping is challenging local governments to find a balance between the protection of a vital species and the rights and concerns of urban communities.
It’s National BBQ Month and National Hamburger Month. Eat well—and grill safely.
The sharing industry that provides consumer deals and conveniences has local governments wondering how to regulate it all.
Restaurant noise is causing patrons to choose between loud popular eateries and their hearing health.
With the evolution of the internet, smartphones and social media platforms, bullying has moved from the playground to the cyber realm.
From the historic to the hysterical, local festivals are on the rise, prompting host municipalities to take a closer look at legislation that protects their community, residents and patrons.
Did you know that before the mid-1800s, urban parks didn’t exist in American cities? Learn about the American visionary architect who changed all that.
Can the city we live in, the environment we inhabit, impact who we are or how we feel?
Just as people try to get healthier with the Atkins, Paleo, Whole30 and other popular diet regimens, urban streets can be more trim and less congested when a “road diet” strategy is put in place.
See how some New England communities are adapting
their Codes to meet increased local demand for solar energy.
What does “the future of cities” mean to you? Whatever your definition, Oscar Boyson’s 20-minute video “The Future of Cities” is thought-provoking as it probes the question, “is future urbanization going to be a good thing, or a bad thing?”
