# Artificial Scarcity: 35 Sourced Claims, Contested Facts & Evidence Local land-use restrictions, parking minimums, and discretionary approvals have systematically suppressed homebuilding for decades. Authors: david HTML: https://moyomap.com/maps/artificial-scarcity Markdown: https://moyomap.com/maps/artificial-scarcity.md License: HTML and markdown are for reading and citation. Bulk copying and AI training need a written license. See /terms and /developers#maps-data. Cite a claim as: MoyoMap, "Artificial Scarcity: 35 Sourced Claims, Contested Facts & Evidence", claim {id}, https://moyomap.com/maps/artificial-scarcity.md#{id}. “Moyo, a product of SenTeGuard Inc.” ### The 2018 Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index ranked the San Francisco and New York City CBSAs as th… Id: claim_0c777aaf8bcdc5dd4ad0fc98 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 The 2018 Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index ranked the San Francisco and New York City CBSAs as the most regulated U.S. housing markets, both exceeding one standard deviation above the national average. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### In the original Wharton index, Providence and Boston were ranked as the most restrictive metropolitan areas (… Id: claim_1900f284b12992c885824caa Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 In the original Wharton index, Providence and Boston were ranked as the most restrictive metropolitan areas (index scores of 1.79 and 1.54), whereas Kansas City and Indianapolis were among the least restrictive (-0.80 and -0.76). Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### According to Wharton index research, over 50% of highly regulated communities mandated a one-acre minimum lot… Id: claim_27cfd850fc8a9fa4b485f82a Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 According to Wharton index research, over 50% of highly regulated communities mandated a one-acre minimum lot size in at least one neighborhood, compared to under 5% of lightly regulated communities. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### Manhattan condominium prices from 1984 to 2002 were approximately twice the fundamental production cost, impl… Id: claim_3be815080246a32f695ea6b3 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Manhattan condominium prices from 1984 to 2002 were approximately twice the fundamental production cost, implying a regulatory or zoning tax of roughly 50 percent. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ### In Los Angeles, pre-permitted vacant lots sell at a 50 percent price premium ($48 per square foot), with prea… Id: claim_5af943935e092a256889d189 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 In Los Angeles, pre-permitted vacant lots sell at a 50 percent price premium ($48 per square foot), with preapproval raising the four-year completion probability by 8 to 12 percentage points. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ### Between 2006 and 2024, 58% of permitted housing units in Chicago (including 74% of units in buildings with 10… Id: claim_8642adfdfe415158ff429b13 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Between 2006 and 2024, 58% of permitted housing units in Chicago (including 74% of units in buildings with 10+ homes and 80% in central Chicago) fell under planned-development zones requiring discretionary City Council approval. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ### In 1960 alone, Manhattan permitted 13,000 new housing units, representing nearly two-thirds of the 21,000 tot… Id: claim_977f06e9b06476b28629bd44 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 In 1960 alone, Manhattan permitted 13,000 new housing units, representing nearly two-thirds of the 21,000 total units permitted across the entire decade of the 1990s. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ### Houston's 1998 minimum-lot reform reduced the standard urban-core lot minimum from 5,000 to 3,500 square feet… Id: claim_a797877ae11b755ec5163590 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Houston's 1998 minimum-lot reform reduced the standard urban-core lot minimum from 5,000 to 3,500 square feet (and down to 1,400 under specific criteria), enabling over 34,000 new small-lot homes. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### A study of New York City transactions between 1974 and 2009 showed that historic-district designation restric… Id: claim_b56a0433c38e8d7167e7a6c2 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 A study of New York City transactions between 1974 and 2009 showed that historic-district designation restricted redevelopment options and raised property values both within outer-borough districts and on adjacent perimeter properties. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ### According to the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index survey, permit approval for a standard housing… Id: claim_c7b363d83d408dd1564081a4 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 According to the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index survey, permit approval for a standard housing project averaged 10.2 months in highly regulated communities compared to 3.2 months in lightly regulated communities. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### Between the 2006 and 2018 Wharton land-use surveys, the share of surveyed communities with a minimum lot size… Id: claim_d21929980397aa58168c9f66 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Between the 2006 and 2018 Wharton land-use surveys, the share of surveyed communities with a minimum lot size greater than one acre grew from 28 percent to 39 percent, while those requiring three or more entities to approve rezoning rose from 22 percent to 45 percent. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### Wharton index research revealed that land-use restrictiveness correlated positively with wealthier and more e… Id: claim_d71e63c48e1416d082829453 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Wharton index research revealed that land-use restrictiveness correlated positively with wealthier and more educated communities, but showed a weak, negative correlation with existing population density. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### Lowering housing supply regulations in New York, San Francisco, and San Jose to the median U.S. Id: claim_eac19d65fd0b129a1c28828e Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Lowering housing supply regulations in New York, San Francisco, and San Jose to the median U.S. city level between 1964 and 2009 would have increased aggregate U.S. output growth by 36.3 percent. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### San Francisco received permit applications for over 9,600 homes in 2025 but completed only about 2,700 units,… Id: claim_f78f5be961b6b12f4312e1cb Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 San Francisco received permit applications for over 9,600 homes in 2025 but completed only about 2,700 units, falling far short of its annual state RHNA target of roughly 10,000 units. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### Restrictive land-use rules between 2013 and 2018 raised the price of a quarter-acre lot with building rights… Id: claim_ff7dbc389ab301025c4ca851 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Restrictive land-use rules between 2013 and 2018 raised the price of a quarter-acre lot with building rights by over $400,000 in the San Francisco metro, $150,000 to $200,000 in Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle, and over $100,000 in San Jose. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known ### Minimum Lot Size Regulations in Greater Boston Id: section_38e8ddf33687ee802e6500ed Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Minimum Lot Size Regulations in Greater Boston Labels: Inferred, Low ### Multi-Family Housing Permitting Timelines and Rent Impacts Id: section_5c2111498548ebedcb6733ca Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Multi-Family Housing Permitting Timelines and Rent Impacts Labels: Inferred, Low ### California Permitting Timelines by Project Size Id: section_9626c4bf5b83e125000b9698 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 California Permitting Timelines by Project Size Labels: Inferred, Low ### San Francisco Planning Approvals and Processing Delays Id: section_d1a3041b86632cdf2dc9dd37 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 San Francisco Planning Approvals and Processing Delays Labels: Inferred, Low ### Costs and Impacts of Parking Minimum Mandates Id: section_f2398d75712acc722cc7e1b2 Parent: topic_9qdqwMqFyhjPi5qZFWps Depth: 1 Costs and Impacts of Parking Minimum Mandates Labels: Inferred, Low #### Nationwide, 71 percent of carless households pay for a bundled parking space they do not use, adding roughly… Id: claim_0de08dd5bffa43ef521296db Parent: section_f2398d75712acc722cc7e1b2 Depth: 2 Nationwide, 71 percent of carless households pay for a bundled parking space they do not use, adding roughly 17 percent or $204 per month to their rent. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### An analysis by the University of Denver and Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute estimated that eliminating park… Id: claim_62973b7a04cbc89b1b098819 Parent: section_f2398d75712acc722cc7e1b2 Depth: 2 An analysis by the University of Denver and Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute estimated that eliminating parking minimums in Denver would increase housing construction by approximately 12.5 percent, or 460 homes annually. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known #### Each additional year required for multi-family building permitting is associated with a 39 percent increase i… Id: claim_6909a9c40ad3687fecc2eb6b Parent: section_5c2111498548ebedcb6733ca Depth: 2 Each additional year required for multi-family building permitting is associated with a 39 percent increase in median rent. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### Between 2015 and 2021, San Francisco recorded median processing times of 543 days for Large Project Authoriza… Id: claim_69db3cf73e52329945cb1c32 Parent: section_d1a3041b86632cdf2dc9dd37 Depth: 2 Between 2015 and 2021, San Francisco recorded median processing times of 543 days for Large Project Authorization, 609 days for Downtown Project Authorization, 300 days for conditional-use permits, and 365 days for site-plan reviews. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### State data presented to the California Assembly shows that housing projects of five or more units approved in… Id: claim_71b9b47a23593424c6155297 Parent: section_9626c4bf5b83e125000b9698 Depth: 2 State data presented to the California Assembly shows that housing projects of five or more units approved in 2023 took an average of 700 days from initial application to final permit approval (323 days to entitlement, 377 days to permit). Labels: Source-linked, Low, known #### NYU Furman Center research found that single-family parcel conversions represented under 20% of Houston's pos… Id: claim_79a33fadaab60c1db53f9054 Parent: claim_a797877ae11b755ec5163590 Depth: 2 NYU Furman Center research found that single-family parcel conversions represented under 20% of Houston's post-reform townhouse developments, with most redevelopment occurring on larger urban-core parcels with older homes. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known #### A standardized 20-unit apartment building takes an average of 4.6 years from application to occupancy in Los… Id: claim_ac1bc4bcb31fb54ae6120697 Parent: section_5c2111498548ebedcb6733ca Depth: 2 A standardized 20-unit apartment building takes an average of 4.6 years from application to occupancy in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco compared to roughly 2 years in Raleigh, Orlando, and Phoenix, with permitting accounting for 30 to 43 percent of the difference. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### In Greater Boston, every quarter-acre increase in minimum lot size was associated with approximately 10 perce… Id: claim_d30d3c2b9d70e251b6352dfd Parent: section_38e8ddf33687ee802e6500ed Depth: 2 In Greater Boston, every quarter-acre increase in minimum lot size was associated with approximately 10 percent fewer single-family housing units permitted between 1980 and 2002. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### Permitting duration for a standardized multi-family housing project roughly doubled between 2000 and 2023, gr… Id: claim_e998330c55f990ef7c1e0964 Parent: section_5c2111498548ebedcb6733ca Depth: 2 Permitting duration for a standardized multi-family housing project roughly doubled between 2000 and 2023, growing from 0.6 years to 1.5 years. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### Following Oakland's implementation of a one-space-per-unit parking minimum in 1961, the median number of hous… Id: claim_ef6f295d6b0be2a7e5f12c73 Parent: section_f2398d75712acc722cc7e1b2 Depth: 2 Following Oakland's implementation of a one-space-per-unit parking minimum in 1961, the median number of housing units per development fell by 36 percent despite underlying zoning density limits remaining unchanged. Labels: Source-linked, Low, known #### Over two decades, Chicago approved 608 planned-development agreements, placing more than 13% of city land und… Id: claim_fb8d9807f3e978696ca916ac Parent: claim_8642adfdfe415158ff429b13 Depth: 2 Over two decades, Chicago approved 608 planned-development agreements, placing more than 13% of city land under negotiated planned-development status rather than by-right residential zoning. Labels: Inferred, Low, known #### Underground parking construction in the U.S. Id: claim_feeccd7fc69ffd93122746e0 Parent: section_f2398d75712acc722cc7e1b2 Depth: 2 Underground parking construction in the U.S. averages $73,000 per space compared to $52,000 for aboveground parking, increasing construction costs for lower-cost apartments by up to 38 percent. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ##### In Greater Boston, the modal minimum residential lot requirement was roughly one acre, and 14 surveyed munici… Id: claim_53c7e9682f99b1765161499c Parent: claim_d30d3c2b9d70e251b6352dfd Depth: 3 In Greater Boston, the modal minimum residential lot requirement was roughly one acre, and 14 surveyed municipalities enforced minimums exceeding 70,000 square feet. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ##### From 2015 to 2021, housing developments in San Francisco requiring a full Environmental Impact Report faced a… Id: claim_baf6272b0b8fc14d216ce554 Parent: claim_69db3cf73e52329945cb1c32 Depth: 3 From 2015 to 2021, housing developments in San Francisco requiring a full Environmental Impact Report faced a median processing duration of 1,004 days. Labels: Inferred, Low, known ##### In 2023, California housing approvals averaged 524 days for two-to-four-unit projects and 334 days for access… Id: claim_e20a0464923314b5a4655695 Parent: claim_71b9b47a23593424c6155297 Depth: 3 In 2023, California housing approvals averaged 524 days for two-to-four-unit projects and 334 days for accessory dwelling units from submission to permit issuance. Labels: Inferred, Low, known