Memphis, TN Amends Local Building Code to Allow up to Six Units Under Residential Building Code (IRC) to Enable Missing Middle Housing

On November 1, 2021, Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, rolled back a significant, but lesser noted regulatory hurdle to building missing middle in the US, by locally amending building codes to enable structures of 3 to 6 dwelling units to be reviewed by the city and county under their residential building code rather than the commercial building code that typically triggers at three units or more. For Andre Jones, a local builder and member of the City and County’s Building Code Advisory Board, the push to become one of the first jurisdictions to review missing middle housing under the residential code could not have come at a better time.

Public Draft of Austin’s CodeNEXT Land Development Code Now Live!

After intensive public outreach, diagnosis, and drafting, the City of Austin recently released the public review draft of its CodeNEXT Land Development Code. As lead consultant for the project, Opticos introduced the code to the public at a meeting of the City’s Code Advisory Group on February 1st. (Teaming partners Lisa Wise Consulting and Peter J. Park were also on hand to unveil.)

2016: A Big Year for Missing Middle Housing

Around the country, issues around housing affordability, demand for more housing choices, and neighborhood compatibility are growing. Cities are in desperate need of solutions, and Missing Middle Housing, as one tool providing solutions, is catching on like wildfire. Here’s how 2016 was a big year for Missing Middle Housing.

Missing Middle Housing is Everywhere in 2016 Housing Trends

With the downturn of the late aughts increasingly in the rear view, the real estate picture continues to look rosy. When it comes to real estate trends shaping our communities in 2016, we’re seeing Missing Middle Housing everywhere.

Michigan Missing Middle Housing Design Competition Draws Global Talent

The first-ever Missing Middle Housing design competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Michigan chapter, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the Michigan State University Land Policy Institute among others, attracted entries from architects and design students from around the world.