re post #297 , by metric_taper.
It's correct, that assessment on legislating building codes and politics in general.
The true codes, I think are works of art; such as NEC, NPC, NBC, NFPA, and certain local adaptations like Los Angeles County electrical or New York fire. The idea experts produce these, assure regards to public safety, material specifications, how they are built, and connection to infrastructure. All's well (broadly speaking) in government, until politics enter.
A good example is a neighboring city. Police and fire departments country-wide think 25% ratio of private homes versus rentals is the maximum density for managing safety. It's parking, utilities, schools, traffic, trash collection, fire control and so on, legitimate benefits of incorporated cities; big (major) factors in property value.
---------However----------
Property developers make w-a-y more per square foot on rent, especially big apartment structures and office leases, than single family homes. So, aforementioned city's council of five members are and have been real estate agents, ongoing for decades. What rent/ own density prevails there? 40? No. 50%, No. It's over 70!

Some few politicians have their head on straight, until coerced by lobbyists and lawyers, which ALL represent special interests. Those "Special Interests" is just polite description for agendas of conniving schemers.
Save those few politicians, the crowd are in politics, drawing sophisticated version of welfare because they won't get or hold a real job.