Why can’t you build it?

Because you aren’t allowed to build it. Not in the place you want to build it.

Or at least, not the way you want, to the extent you want it, at any sane price and on any reasonable schedule. The government will not let you.

Here are some of the ways that plays out.

One way they prevent this is so-called ‘affordable housing,’ which gives out lottery tickets while overall making housing less affordable.

Yelling Fire Risk In A Crowded City

Don’t hate the firefighters, hate the fire department and the zoning code.

City Aesthetics: We could still build places that feel like this….

Jason (referring to lower left photo): Fire department response to site plan & sample photo:

-Street width doesn’t meet NFPA. Widen or remove street parking.

-Buildings too close to street. Need 15-30’ from curb to face.

-Trees likely need to go as they block easy ladder access.

-Where's the fire lane?

Seth Largo: You have the courage to hate the rich. You may even have the courage to hate “disabled” vets. But do you have the courage [...]

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Outline:

(00:37) Yelling Fire Risk In A Crowded City

(02:14) Beauty

(06:24) Historical Preservation Is Out Of Hand

(08:03) You Only Need One Staircase

(09:34) Zoning Run Amok

(11:18) Elevator Action

(11:54) The Hookup

(14:56) Affordable Housing

(16:02) Actually Affordable Housing

(18:22) Affordable Housing Only Worse

(20:56) Remember Who The Enemy Is

(22:08) San Francisco Hates Your Stove

(22:49) Los Angeles Not Building

(27:49) New York City

(36:53) Baltimore

(37:05) Charlottesville

(37:35) New Hampshire

(38:07) California

(44:05) Bipartisanship

(44:28) California Forever

(45:52) History

(46:16) The Lighter Side

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First published:
May 1st, 2026

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/WC69ZpLJ2LYdSMXqb/housing-roundup-14-you-can-t-build-that

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Images from the article:

“Housing Roundup #14: You Can’t Build That” by Zvi