Upzoning
Glossary·Verified 2026-07-10
Definition
Upzoning is a change to zoning rules that allows more or denser building than before, such as permitting duplexes or apartments where only single-family homes were previously allowed.
Why it matters
Upzoning shifts property values and future density citywide, but it's often decided through technical zoning-code amendments rather than individual project votes. Residents most affected by future infill development may not realize a change happened until building permits start arriving years later.
Seen in the wild
Minneapolis eliminated single-family-only zoning citywide in December 2018, becoming the first major U.S. city to do so, allowing duplexes and triplexes in every residential zone as part of its Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan.1