Policy Positions 
(Recommended by the RAGC Advocacy Committee and adopted by the RAGC Board of Directors February 2025.)
Housing and Development
Zoning and Land Use Regulations
- We advocate for zoning policies that promote housing affordability and reduce barriers to new development.
- Zoning policies that promote housing affordability reduce costs and increase supply. According to the National Association of Home Builders, restrictive zoning adds up to 25% to the cost of a new home. Reforming these policies allows for greater density, increasing affordability.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- We support legislation allowing ADUs to increase housing supply and affordability.
- ADUs help address housing shortages, particularly for aging populations and lower-income families. A study by AARP found that 75% of adults over 50 prefer to age in place, and ADUs offer a flexible solution to housing needs.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
- We actively monitor local regulations to balance homeowner rights (private property rights) with community concerns over tourism and rental markets.
- We oppose overly prohibitive or restrictive limitations on property owners’ use.
- Short-term rentals contribute significantly to local economies. In cities like Austin, TX, STRs generated over $200 million in revenue in 2022. Overly restrictive regulations can stifle tourism and reduce income opportunities for homeowners.
Infill Development and Mixed-Use Zoning
- We encourage municipalities to adopt policies that promote revitalization, smart growth, and increased housing density where appropriate.
- Compact, mixed-use development reduces urban sprawl and enhances walkability. According to the Urban Land Institute, walkable communities appreciate in value 40% more than conventional developments and reduce transportation costs for residents.
Property Rights & Homeownership
Eminent Domain Protections
- We work to ensure fair compensation and prevent misuse of eminent domain that negatively impacts property owners.
- Misuse of eminent domain disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities. A 2021 Institute for Justice study found that over 90% of properties taken by eminent domain in major U.S. cities were in lower-income or minority neighborhoods.
Private Property Rights
- We oppose overly restrictive ordinances that limit how homeowners use or modify their properties.
- Overly restrictive ordinances can decrease home values and limit personal investment. The Cato Institute reports that excessive regulations can reduce a property’s market value by up to 20%.
Historic Preservation Regulations
- We advocate for a balance between historic preservation and homeowner flexibility in designated districts.
- While historic preservation protects cultural heritage, overly rigid rules can deter homeowners from making necessary renovations. A Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies report found that cumbersome restrictions reduce reinvestment in historic districts by 15%.
Taxes & Fees Affecting Real Estate
Property Tax Policies
- We work to keep property taxes predictable and fair while ensuring they fund necessary local services.
- Property tax predictability encourages stable homeownership. According to the Tax Foundation, states with unpredictable property tax increases see higher foreclosure rates and lower long-term homeownership.
Impact Fees & Development Charges
- We work to ensure that municipal fees on new developments are reasonable and do not unnecessarily increase housing costs.
- Unchecked fees add to the cost of new housing. The National Association of Home Builders found that regulatory costs, including impact fees, add nearly $94,000 to the cost of a new single-family home.
Transfer Taxes & Recording Fees
- We oppose increases in transfer taxes and other fees that make buying and selling homes more expensive.
- High transfer taxes deter real estate transactions. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research showed that higher transaction costs reduce home sales by up to 15% annually.
Infrastructure & Growth Planning
Transportation and Traffic Impact on Housing
- We support infrastructure investments that improve access to housing while preventing excessive regulatory burdens.
- Improved infrastructure increases home values and accessibility. A 2022 American Public Transportation Association study found that properties near transit hubs appreciate 24% more than those without transit access.
Utility Expansion & Capacity Planning
- We encourage municipalities to plan for growth and ensure adequate water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
- Inadequate infrastructure limits housing development. A Brookings Institution report found that a lack of sewer and water capacity is a top barrier to housing expansion in rapidly growing regions.
Smart Growth Policies
- We advocate for responsible growth strategies that support homeownership and economic development.
- Smart growth strategies improve economic resilience. According to Smart Growth America, communities with mixed-use zoning and smart growth policies see 10% higher tax revenues per acre than suburban sprawl developments.
Affordable Housing & Workforce Housing Initiatives
Incentives for Affordable Housing Development
- We support tax credits, grants, and public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing options.
- Incentives reduce costs and increase supply. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) has helped create over 3.5 million affordable housing units since its inception, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Workforce Housing Programs
- We advocate for initiatives that help middle-income earners afford housing near their workplaces.
- Middle-income earners are increasingly struggling with affordability. The National Housing Conference found that in 2023, teachers, nurses, and first responders could only afford to buy a median-priced home in 11% of U.S. cities.
First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
- We promote down payment assistance programs and other initiatives to increase homeownership accessibility.
- Down payment assistance increases homeownership rates. A Freddie Mac study found that 80% of first-time buyers cited down payment challenges as the top barrier to homeownership.
Rental Housing Regulations & Tenant-Landlord Laws
Fair & Balanced Rental Policies
- We advocate for rental ordinances that protect tenants while maintaining property owner rights.
- Balanced policies promote stable rental markets. Data from the Urban Institute shows that overregulation in rent markets results in a 20% decrease in available rental housing stock.
Eviction Policies
- We work to ensure municipal regulations provide fair processes for both landlords and tenants.
- Clear eviction laws reduce homelessness and rental disputes. A 2021 Princeton University study found that areas with fair eviction protections had 15% fewer tenant displacement cases than those without clear policies.
Rent Control & Price Controls
- We oppose rent control measures that discourage investment in rental housing.
- Rent control discourages investment in rental housing. A Stanford University study found that rent control in San Francisco reduced rental housing supply by 15% over two decades.
Economic Development & Business Climate
Revitalization & Redevelopment Incentives
- We support tax abatements, grants, and zoning changes that encourage investment in underutilized properties.
- Incentives spur economic growth. The National League of Cities found that tax abatements increased investment in underutilized properties by 30% over a 10-year period.
Commercial Real Estate Regulations
- We advocate for policies that support small businesses and commercial property investment.
- Overregulation stifles small businesses. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce report found that excessive commercial zoning restrictions reduce small business openings by 18%.
Job Growth & Economic Incentives
- We encourage municipalities to attract businesses and create jobs that support local housing markets.
- Job growth strengthens housing markets. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that for every 1% increase in local employment, home values rise by approximately 2%.
Environmental & Sustainability Regulations
Stormwater & Floodplain Regulations
- We work to ensure reasonable regulations that protect communities without imposing excessive costs on property owners.
- Excessive regulations increase development costs. A National Association of Home Builders study found that floodplain restrictions added an average of $16,000 to new home construction costs.
Energy Efficiency & Building Codes
- We support voluntary incentives for energy-efficient construction rather than costly mandates.
- Voluntary incentives work better than mandates. A U.S. Department of Energy report found that incentive-based energy programs resulted in 30% higher adoption rates than mandatory programs.
Climate & Disaster Resilience Planning
- We advocate for balanced policies that protect property values and mitigate risks.
- Balanced resilience planning protects investments. A National Institute of Building Sciences study found that every $1 spent on disaster resilience saves $6 in future recovery costs.
Local Government Processes & Transparency
Permitting & Inspection Reforms
- We encourage municipalities to streamline local permitting and inspection processes to avoid delays in home construction and renovation.
- Streamlining permits accelerates development. The World Bank found that cities with efficient permitting processes see 20% faster construction completion rates.
Government Transparency & Public Input
- We encourage fair and open public hearings on real estate and zoning issues.
- Open hearings lead to better policy outcomes. A Harvard Kennedy School study found that increased public participation reduces legal challenges to zoning changes by 40%.
Municipal Budgeting & Fiscal Responsibility
- We monitor city and county budgets to prevent excessive tax hikes or fees on homeowners.
- Poor municipal budgeting leads to higher taxes. A Brookings Institution study found that cities with transparent fiscal policies had 15% lower long-term tax increases.
Fair Housing & Anti-Discrimination Policies
Compliance with Fair Housing Laws
- We support education and compliance efforts to prevent housing discrimination.
- Discrimination in housing persists. A 2022 National Fair Housing Alliance report found that 4 million instances of housing discrimination occur annually in the U.S.
Diversity & Inclusion in Homeownership
- We advocate for programs that promote equal access to housing and lending opportunities.
- Homeownership gaps persist. According to the Urban Institute, Black homeownership rates are 30 percentage points lower than White homeownership rates, a gap unchanged since the 1960s.
Accessibility & Housing for Seniors & Disabled Residents
- We encourage municipalities to adopt policies that support aging-in-place and accessibility improvements.
- Aging populations require accessible housing. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be over 65, increasing demand for accessible homes.