Utah, like much of the United States, is experiencing a housing crisis driven primarily by a shortage of available housing. Rising home prices, increasing infrastructure costs, and restrictive zoning policies have limited the supply of varied housing options, forcing many families into unsustainable housing and transportation patterns. While conventional development patterns have focused on outward expansion, this approach requires costly infrastructure investments and perpetuates car-dependent communities. This study explores an alternative solution -- leveraging existing walkable urban land to accommodate growth more efficiently and sustainably.

Using a 15-minute city framework, this research identifies 2,528 acres of highly walkable land in Cache County, Utah, defined as areas with access to at least seven essential amenities within a 15-minute walk. Through GIS-based spatial analysis, current residential zoning regulations in these areas were evaluated, revealing that a significant portion of walkable land is zoned primarily for low-density, single-family housing. To assess the potential for increasing housing capacity while maintaining community character, a zoning reclassification was applied, allowing for incremental density increases through multi-family housing types and accessory dwelling units. The results indicate that by making modest zoning adjustments within these walkable areas, Cache County could accommodate an additional 6,353 housing units -- meeting 61% of the county's projected housing demand over the next eight years.

These findings have significant implications for both Utah and beyond. By prioritizing housing development in existing walkable areas, cities can reduce infrastructure costs, provide residents with greater transportation choices, and mitigate environmental impacts associated with urban sprawl. This methodology can be applied to other Utah cities facing similar challenges, as well as to municipalities across the country seeking sustainable growth solutions.

To facilitate this transition, this study proposes several policy recommendations, including legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in single-family zones, allowing varied multifamily housing types as a by-right use in walkable areas, shifting from use-based zoning to form-based codes, increasing pedestrian connectivity through smaller block subdivisions, reducing or eliminating parking requirements in transit-accessible neighborhoods, and more. These reforms would enable communities to expand housing choices while preserving affordability and enhancing quality of life for residents at all stages of life.

As Utah continues to grow, cities must decide how to shape that growth. This research demonstrates that small zoning adjustments in walkable areas can significantly expand housing options without sacrificing community character. By embracing policy reforms that encourage incremental, context-sensitive development, Utah can create more inclusive, connected, and resilient communities for generations to come.