Building codes
Hawaii County Tells Homeowner His 38-Year-Old House Is Actually Illegal
Shahzaad Ausman has had to sue the county to confirm that he can continue to live in his own home.
Government Goons Destroy Tree House
The owner of a beloved neighborhood structure spent years—and thousands of dollars—trying to comply with L.A. bureaucrats’ demands.
To Speed Recovery, California Must Let Markets Work
Anyone who thinks state regulatory agencies will help them doesn't understand how these agencies actually operate.
Code Games
Plus: An appeals court sides with property owners seeking compensation for the CDC's eviction ban, a Michigan court backs the would-be builders of a "green cemetery," and Kamala Harris' spotty supply-side credentials.
We Don't Need a Nationwide Energy Code
These new regulations will drive up housing costs even further.
The Best of Reason: The Abundance Agenda Promises Everything to Everyone All at Once
Some progressives want to remove bureaucratic obstacles to growth—in the service of Democrats and big government.
The Abundance Agenda Promises Everything to Everyone All at Once
Some progressives want to remove bureaucratic obstacles to growth—in the service of Democrats and big government.
Actually, Magic Mike's Last Dance Is About the Awfulness of Urban Zoning Regulations
A male stripper takes on London's historic preservation rules in Channing Tatum's latest ode to hot, sensitive dudes.
Illinois City Agrees To Stop Fining People for Resisting Warrantless Home Inspections
Zion’s attempts to push out unwanted renters collides with Fourth Amendment protections.
Review: Try and Fail To Build a Virtual City in Sim Nimby
Eventually the player realizes nothing is getting built and quits.
He Didn't Break Any Rules. New York City Is Demanding He Pay a Fine Anyway
The Big Apple's building regulations are almost impossible to navigate, and officials like it that way.
School Choice Faces a New Threat: Local Code Enforcers
Enemies of educational freedom are using inane regulations to target learning pods.
Christopher Alexander's Utopian Blueprint
There is telling people how to live, and there is maximizing people's ability to live the lives they want.
Florida Lawmakers Are Cracking Down on Secret Snitches
Two state bills would generally prohibit local code enforcement officials from acting on anonymously reported violations.
Trump Outlaws Ugly Federal Buildings
Plus: House OKs bloated $1.4 trillion spending package, new Amash bills aim to protect asylum seekers and immigrant detainees, and more...
Mandatory Warrantless Rental Inspections Inspire Seattle Lawsuit
Institute for Justice to city: Show probable cause, guys.
Policing for Profit? California Towns Bill Residents Thousands for Nuisance Violations
Citizens of Coachella and Indio are fighting back against the private law firm that charged them for their own prosecutions.
A New Jersey Family Wanted Local Kids to Read More. Then a Neighbor Called the Cops.
The family set up a mini-library-and got a visit from the police.
Florida Couple Gets to Keep Home's 'Starry' Paint Job; Mayor Must Publicly Apologize for $10,000 Fine
In a settlement reached Tuesday night, two residents of Mount Dora, Florida, will receive $15,000 and permission to keep their Van Gogh-inspired paint job.
Atlanta Suburb Brags About Fines for Chipped Paint and Incorrectly Stacked Wood
Victims of stealth taxes are suing Doraville, Georgia, for violating their due process rights.
St. Louis Town Agrees to Stop Bankrolling Itself by Fining Its Residents into the Poorhouse
Pagedale, Missouri, will stop trying to fine you for having mismatched curtains or saggy pants.
City of Dallas Sues Nightclub Over Mural Honoring Fallen Officers
The tribute to five slain officers is allegedly a code violation.
City Demands $6,000 from Woman over Illegal Chickens
A municipal scheme with a private prosecution firm leads to outrageous fines in the California desert.
Chicago to Businesses: Did Licensed Contractors Hang Those Window Signs?
Classic protection racket enforced by city fines.
This Indiana Town Wants to Fine a Community Out of Existence on Behalf of Private Developers
Charlestown can't seize the properties, so it's citing them to force them to sell.
Richmond Strangles the Poor With Red Tape
Mayor says he wants to "promote economic parity and social justice," then sends code enforcers to evict the poor from their homes.
Nepal's Earthquake: How Not to Rebuild a Nation
In an environment of poverty and corruption, rigorous building codes do more harm than good
The Biggest Obstacle to Gender Neutral Bathrooms? Building Codes.
Government went beyond mandating that employers give workers a place to do their business to specifying exactly how and in what ratios this must occur.