I recently wrote a report about my idea to address NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). The solution I came up with is called YMY (Yes My Yard). The idea is to give homeowners in neighborhoods more flexibility and allow them to increase housing density. You can read the report here: YMY – Yes My Yard A Solution to NIMBY – Not In My Backyard – Elliott Killian 2025.02.12
What is YMY?
YMY, or Yes My Yard, is a practical solution to the housing shortage that puts homeowners in control. Instead of relying on large-scale developments to add more housing, YMY allows individual homeowners to build on their own properties in ways that benefit both them and their communities.
Many neighborhoods are restricted by single-family zoning, which limits homeowners to just one house per lot. YMY changes this by making zoning rules more flexible, allowing homeowners to:
- Build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as backyard cottages, garage apartments, or basement rentals.
- Expand their existing homes to accommodate growing families or new uses.
- Increase impervious area—like driveways and patios—by using modern stormwater technology to manage runoff responsibly.
By making these changes, YMY provides homeowners with new opportunities to increase property value, generate rental income, and make better use of their land. It also creates more housing options in a way that feels natural and gradual, rather than relying on large apartment buildings or dense developments.
At its core, YMY is about empowering homeowners with more choices. It offers a way to grow housing supply while keeping neighborhoods vibrant, livable, and adaptable to changing needs.
Why Does YMY Work?
One of the biggest challenges in solving the housing crisis is community resistance. Many homeowners worry that new developments will change the character of their neighborhoods, increase traffic, or lower property values. This opposition—often called NIMBY (Not In My Backyard)—can slow or even stop much-needed housing projects.
YMY works because it turns homeowners into supporters instead of opponents. Instead of large developments being built by outside investors, YMY allows homeowners to directly benefit from upzoning. When people are given the freedom to add more housing to their own property, they have a financial incentive to support change.
Under YMY, homeowners can:
- Increase their property value by adding more living space or rental units.
- Generate passive income by renting out an ADU or extra unit on their lot.
- Use their land more efficiently while keeping the overall neighborhood character intact.
By giving property owners more flexibility, YMY helps cities grow organically and gradually, rather than forcing major developments that spark community backlash. This approach creates more housing while allowing homeowners to stay in control of how their neighborhoods evolve.
Real-World Examples of YMY
Several cities have successfully updated their zoning laws in ways that align with the principles of YMY. These real-world examples show how giving homeowners more flexibility can lead to more housing options while benefiting communities.
Minneapolis, Minnesota – Ending Single-Family Zoning
In 2018, Minneapolis became the first major U.S. city to eliminate single-family zoning. This change allowed homeowners to build duplexes and triplexes on their lots, increasing housing options without drastically altering neighborhood character. By making zoning more flexible, the city has encouraged small-scale housing growth, helping to address affordability and accessibility challenges.
Bryan, Texas – Streamlining Housing Development
Bryan introduced a pattern zoning program to make it easier for homeowners to build additional housing. By pre-approving a variety of small housing designs, the city reduced permitting delays and costs. This approach has encouraged gradual, homeowner-led development, creating new housing opportunities without the resistance that often comes with large-scale projects.
Chaffee Park, Denver, Colorado – Expanding ADU Rights
In 2020, Denver updated its zoning laws to allow homeowners in the Chaffee Park neighborhood to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) without special approvals. This change allowed residents to add backyard cottages, garage apartments, and basement rentals with fewer restrictions. As a result, more homeowners are now able to provide additional housing, increase their property value, and generate rental income.
These examples highlight how cities can successfully support responsible growth by giving homeowners more options. YMY builds on these successes by creating a framework that can be adapted to different communities, ensuring that housing development benefits both individual property owners and the broader community.
What Would YMY Change?
YMY isn’t about forcing change—it’s about giving homeowners more options. By updating outdated zoning rules, YMY makes it easier for people to use their land more efficiently while ensuring communities grow in a responsible way.
Under YMY, zoning laws would be adjusted to:
- Allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right – Homeowners could build backyard cottages, garage apartments, or basement rentals without needing special approvals.
- Increase impervious area limits using modern stormwater management – New technology like permeable pavement and rain gardens would allow for expanded driveways, patios, and additional structures without increasing flooding risks.
- Standardize setbacks to 10 feet on all sides – A simple, consistent rule for all lot sizes would replace the current patchwork of zoning restrictions.
- Match accessory building height to primary building height – Homeowners would have the flexibility to build guest houses, studios, or rental units that fit naturally within their property.
These changes empower homeowners to make decisions about their own land while also increasing housing supply in a way that feels natural. Instead of relying on large-scale developments, YMY allows cities to grow from within, creating more housing options without dramatically changing neighborhood character.
Why Should You Support YMY?
YMY is a win-win solution for homeowners, renters, and communities. By giving people more control over their own property, it helps create more housing options without relying on large, disruptive developments. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to increase your property’s value, a renter searching for more affordable options, or a city planner trying to address housing shortages, YMY offers benefits for everyone.
Here’s why YMY makes sense:
- For Homeowners: More flexibility to build and expand, leading to increased property value and potential rental income.
- For Renters: More available housing means lower rents and more options in desirable neighborhoods.
- For Cities: A steady increase in housing supply without the political battles and delays of large-scale developments.
- For Communities: Smarter growth that maintains neighborhood character while adapting to modern housing needs.
Instead of blocking new housing out of fear, YMY turns growth into an opportunity—one that benefits the very people who live in these neighborhoods. By supporting YMY, you’re saying “yes” to a future where homeowners have more freedom, cities can meet housing demand, and communities remain strong and adaptable.
Conclusion
The housing crisis won’t be solved by saying “no” to every new idea. Instead, we need solutions that work with communities, not against them. Yes My Yard (YMY) is a smarter, more practical way to increase housing by giving homeowners more freedom to build on their own land.
By allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), flexible zoning rules, and better stormwater management, YMY creates a system where homeowners, renters, and cities all benefit. It provides more housing without forcing large developments, helping neighborhoods grow naturally while maintaining their character.
The best part? YMY empowers individual homeowners to make choices that benefit both themselves and their community. Instead of fearing change, people can embrace new opportunities—whether that means building a rental unit for extra income, expanding their home for family, or simply increasing their property’s value.
It’s time to move past NIMBY resistance and toward a future where people say “Yes My Yard.” Are you ready to support smarter growth?
