Navigating the Regulatory Environment in American Urban Areas

Abstract

The impressive growth in the number of craft breweries in the United States has created both opportunities and challenges for municipalities. On the one hand, it is evident that craft breweries can add to the diversity of the urban fabric and contribute in a meaningful way to neighborhood vitality and, in the case of distressed areas, to neighborhood revitalization. On the other hand, zoning regulations in many municipalities have not been particularly accommodating. Craft breweries pose a challenge to municipalities, as their businesses represent a hybrid of restaurant, manufacturer, and entertainment. To capitalize on the growing popularity of craft breweries, municipalities have been changing their zoning ordinances. In this chapter, we examine the relationship between craft breweries and zoning in three American cities. We seek to highlight the differences and similarities that craft breweries face in seeking optimal locations, in the face of zoning challenges.

Craft breweries and residential property values

“…Evidence suggests that municipalities generally view craft breweries as community assets, with many taking a variety of measures to encourage craft brewery growth. This includes adjusting zoning ordinances, earmarking brewery‐specific grant monies, and promoting them to beer tourists (Funcheon, 2018; Lehnert et al., 2020; Reid, 2021; Williams, 2017).…”