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?
In drafting and enforcing sign regulations local governments should be mindful of this case and the Supreme Court’s determination that content-based regulation of noncommercial signs must meet “strict scrutiny.”
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?”
