When Cities Right-Size the Rules, People Step Up: Tallahassee’s ADU Story

In Tallahassee, a few frustrated residents sparked a housing reform that cities everywhere could learn from. Burdened by rules that made backyard cottages nearly impossible to build, they asked the city to rethink its code — and this time, leaders actually listened. The result: simpler permits, more flexibility, and a surge in new accessory homes. In just one year, Tallahassee quadrupled its ADU permits, proving that when cities scale their rules to reality, they unlock affordable housing one backyard at a time. Edward Erfurt with Strong Towns has the full story.

Edward Erfurt

Strong Towns

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