An unchallenged assumption has permeated the planning, environmental,
and development communities: required environmental review of development proposals inherently increases permitting times, thus causing
delay and increasing housing prices, but there is a dearth of rigorous statistical assessments. Even statistically based studies that associate environmental regulations with higher housing prices cannot distinguish between
supply effects (whether regulations or permitting delay reduces supply thus
increasing prices) and benefit effects (whether regulations enhance the
quality of life in ways the market is willing to pay). Based on a case study of
metropolitan Washington, DC and focus groups in Dallas, Denver, and
Tucson, this book challenges long-held myths and illuminate the true effects of environmental regulations—specifically the regulatory process—on
housing costs.