Ok, I am going to power level a bit (not watching a sticks video LMAO). Zoning in of itself isn't the issue with getting anything built nor is it anything to do with the building codes. IBC , ADA, and the typical local requirements are brain dead easy to follow. The issues come when the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) starts to get involved. They may have 1 planner handling an entire city, and will not entertain any due diligence questions until you submit. They may have a staff that doesn't answer emails, voicemails, or given out any contact information so the only way to reach them is to catch them on the phone when the planets align. They may be easy to deal with, but use a permit portal that requires a shitload of information that doesn't pertain to your project that the city wants regardless (ex. parking lot repair needing the sq ft of the building, construction type, etc). The city may be a nightmare city like Chicago, which typically requires an additional specialist to work with the city to get anything built. They may have hired an outside reviewer, who takes months of CD review to give you 400 issues almost all of which do not actually pertain to your project (worse one was a vehicle storage facility that had a shitload of comments that started with "If vehicles are being repaired here, X")
I could go on, but the the issues that hold up construction are all at the local level. There is nothing the federal government can do other than attempting to create a national standard for applying for permit, AHJ communication, and permit review.
