A series of case studies to be read alongside our Pre-Approved Housing whitepaper.
Executive Summary
The Detroit Justice Center’s recent white paper on pre-approved housing plans incorporates the findings below. Specifically, that pre-approved housing plans represent an emerging strategy to address critical barriers in small-scale residential development: high soft costs, unpredictable permitting timelines, and the difficulty of making infill projects financially viable. By offering code-compliant, pre-reviewed building designs paired with streamlined permitting processes, municipalities can dramatically reduce the time and expense required to deliver housing on vacant and underutilized urban lots.
The case studies below examine four diverse implementations of pre-approved housing plan programs across the United States, analyzing their design, outcomes, and transferable lessons. The case studies span different contexts—from legacy industrial cities confronting widespread vacancy to rural counties serving owner-builders to disaster recovery zones requiring rapid reconstruction.
Key Findings:
- Pre-approved plan programs can reduce permit approval times from months to 1-2 weeks when combined with as-of-right zoning reforms
- Programs work best when they package more than just drawings—successful implementations include clear workflows, online portals, cost estimation tools, and builder education
- As of early 2024, Kalamazoo, Michigan had delivered approximately 48 homes using pre-permitted plans, demonstrating scalable impact
- Strategic public-sector prototype builds help identify and eliminate hidden barriers (such as unexpected utility fees and other infrastructure requirements) before private developers face them
- The approach is highly adaptable: the same core strategy serves dense urban infill, rural self-builds, and post-disaster reconstruction
- Utilizing modular housing can further reduce delivery times and overall costs
Recommendations for Jurisdictions Considering Pre-Approved Plans:
- Align zoning with plan catalog to ensure typical lots are buildable as-of-right
- Develop demonstration projects to surface and resolve implementation challenges
- Create comprehensive support infrastructure beyond plan drawings
- Layer multiple funding sources to close feasibility gaps
- Leverage state-level toolkits and technical assistance where available