Community Development Long Island, Rauch Foundation, Long Island Community Foundation, and CUNY Graduate Center today launched the online Long Island Zoning Atlas, aimed at revolutionizing the understanding of zoning patterns across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

This innovative online platform, the first of its kind in New York State, provides a comprehensive mapping of all zoning districts, offering detailed insights into the types of housing permitted in each area, and other critical characteristics.

Gwen O’Shea, president and CEO of Community Development Long Island said, “The need for more home options–single family, accessory dwelling units, townhomes and multifamily developments on Long Island is real and urgent, but too often decision-makers simply don’t have the tools they need to take the next step.

The Long Island Zoning Atlas provides the data that we need to expertly inform these discussions because the solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Stakeholders will now have a real-time understanding of what is possible.”

The Atlas is modeled along the lines of the National Zoning Atlas and the first regional atlas developed in our neighboring state Connecticut. It was developed with initial data collected by RPA and CDLI, and involved gathering over 100 attributes for each of the 1,200 zoning districts across Long Island’s 100+ municipalities (each town, city, and incorporated village).

It attaches this information to digital map boundaries of each zoning district, along with other Long Island-specific elements such as protected environmental areas and special service districts, incorporating data from the Long Island Index project.

It serves as a valuable resource for a diverse range of stakeholders, including prospective and current homeowners, realtors, developers, lawmakers, city planners, researchers, and advocates.

“The Rauch Foundation learned the power of ‘seeing is believing’ when we built the Long Island Index interactive maps.

At a glance, one can see the complex interplay between geographical location, political structures, demographic trends, and more.

The LI Zoning Atlas continues in that rich tradition. Long Island’s need for more multifamily housing is well documented. The Atlas makes it clear how we have zoned ourselves into a situation where meeting that need is so much more difficult than it should be.

I look forward to these maps being used to clarify and inform residents and elected officials about how and where we can do more to meet this urgent need,” said Nancy Rauch Douzinas, board chair of the Rauch Foundation. 

“Before the Long Island Zoning Atlas, the only way to understand zoning patterns for many communities was to review static or paper maps and cross reference that with zoning text. Now, anyone can instantly see islandwide zoning patterns on an interactive map and easily drill down to see local details for any location across both counties,” noted Steven Romalewski, mapping service director at the CUNY Graduate Center for Urban Research. “In fact, the Zoning Atlas data shows that in Long Island’s districts that are zoned primarily residential, single-family homes can be built almost everywhere – on 99.5% of these districts – without a public hearing. We also discovered that only 8.5% of districts allow two-family homes, and even fewer, just 3.6%, permit three-family and four or more-family housing. We hope all Long Islanders will benefit from this critical information now at their fingertips.” 

Key features of the Long Island Zoning Atlas include a user-friendly interface, geographic search features, and an interactive and dynamic experience that allows users to create custom views. 

These custom views are shareable on social media or other platforms, and users have the ability to export maps in various formats (PDF or other graphic image files) for presentations or use on other websites. 

It is expected that as the map continues to evolve it will grow to include local demographic data from the Census Bureau, enhanced search options for specific zoning characteristics and administrative/service districts; and regular data updates to keep the Atlas as current as possible.

The Atlas can be useful to a diverse set of stakeholders involved in housing development on Long Island. For housing advocates, the maps provide a regional view of housing opportunities controlled by local zoning, such as how much of Long Island allows single-family homes as-of-right compared to 2, 3, or 4+ family housing.

For community members, it easily clarifies what can be built in their hometown or village and compares it to surrounding communities. For developers, the map quickly shows a wide range of data indicating where zoning regulations are open to multifamily development and where exclusionary zoning practices exist.

Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones, program director for the Long Island Community Foundation said, “The Long Island Community Foundation believes that access to safe and affordable housing is fundamental to the well-being of Long Islanders. This atlas is a critical tool in addressing the housing challenges on Long Island, by providing a clear and updated picture of the region’s zoning regulations, making it easier to identify opportunities for responsible development, affordable housing initiatives, and equitable community planning. By promoting smart and sustainable growth, we can enhance the quality of life for all Long Islanders, ensuring that housing remains accessible and that our communities thrive.”

“The Long Island Zoning Atlas represents an invaluable tool for everyone involved in economic development; not only commercial and industrial projects, but desperately needed rental housing as well. Significantly, the Atlas will be a living document, constantly being updated as circumstances and information require. The Town of Brookhaven is financially committed to support the maintenance of the Zoning Atlas for the next two years,” said Fred Braun, chair of the Town of Brookhaven IDA.

“The National Zoning Atlas celebrates the release of the Long Island Zoning Atlas – a cross-institutional collaboration that informs data-driven planning and zoning processes,” said Aline Fader, Zoning Code Coordinator of the National Zoning Atlas. “Like other regional atlases completed as part of the national project, the Long Island Zoning Atlas will help policymakers identify zoning’s role in shaping housing availability and affordability, climate change response, and access to education, jobs, and opportunity.”

The project was completed with funding from Association for a Better Long Island, Bank United, CDLI, Long Island Association, Long Island Builders Institute the Long Island Community Foundation, the Mercatus Center, Nassau County IDA,  Rauch Foundation, Suffolk County Economic Development Corporation and in collaboration with The Center for Urban Research which used its extensive experience in developing interactive mapping projects, including the Long Island Index mapping site and the Open Accessible Space Information System in New York City, to create a user-friendly and informative tool for stakeholders.

The Long Island Zoning Atlas marks a significant stride towards informed decision-making, empowering communities, developers, and policymakers alike. For more information and to explore the Atlas, please visit www.longislandzoningatlas.org.