Here in Texas we have to major cities of comparable size, Houston and Dallas. The DFW metroplex has zoning throughout it’s municipalities. Houston does not. As a result, you’ll find that DFW is much more livable than Houston. I’ll take zoning please.
I have not lived in either city, so I don’t have a rebuttal to your opinion. I take it that you have lived in both?
I have, however, lived in several rural areas that have had zoning before and after... and inevitably, the local busybodies just can’t keep from exercising their power. You need a permit to build a shed, even on large acreage.
Zoning should at the minimum, have an exemption for any property over 5 acres.
I have read the model zoning laws that have been used for most of the zoning across the country. They start with an assumption opposite to all American philosophy: That which is not allowed is forbidden!
Zoning is popular for the same reason fascism is popular.
I get to tell my neighbor what he can do with his stuff.
WooHoo!!