I don’t know about “only allowed”, but this is a thing:
https://sd11.senate.ca.gov/news/senate-passes-senator-wiener...
It is quite literally illegal to build anything but detached single family homes on 95.8 percent of the total residential land area in California / 75% of the residential land area in most major American cities.
Re:The Effect of Noise on Sleep
by trollbridge on Friday June 27, 2025 @02:10PM
(#44398946)
"Residential land area"? Much of California's land has no zoning at all. Of course, it's not near any cities either (or near any road noise).
It is illegal to build housing without a permit, and you will not be issued a permit on much of California’s land.
Residential land area = land you can build housing on
https://belonging.berkeley.edu/single-family-zoning-californ...
Re:The Effect of Noise on Sleep
by jobs_throwaway on Friday June 27, 2025 @03:16PM
(#44399459)
Daily reminder that our zoning policy is deeply racist and evil
Is this true or a misleading observation?
I can see some argument about it, increasing traffic in areas that aren't equipped for it if the building is large enough. But it might just be market forces, too: in larger cities, it's often more desirable to be near a major artery. Earplugs (if the noise bothers you) vs a longer commute.