Three Views on the End of Parking Minimums

Parking minimums, a long-standing practice in urban zoning codes that has significantly influenced transportation in American cities, began to change in 2017 when Buffalo, New York, became the first major city to eliminate them, leading to subsequent reforms in other cities, and as of 2023, California became the first state to abolish parking minimums for developments near public transportation routes.

Kimley-Horn's Robert Ferrin, CAPP discusses the trend of abolishing minimum parking requirements in cities, which began in 2017 when Buffalo, New York, became the first major city to do so. This shift has been celebrated by affordable housing, transit, and environmental advocates for reducing development costs, improving walkability, and promoting multi-modal transportation. However, it emphasizes that while eliminating these requirements can streamline the entitlement process, it does not eliminate the need for parking altogether. Developers and policymakers must carefully consider factors such as trip generation, transportation access, shared parking opportunities, and transportation demand management tools like transit and bike infrastructure when redefining parking needs.

The article also advises city managers and policymakers to approach parking reforms comprehensively, considering complementary initiatives, investments in mobility options, and barriers to affordable housing and sustainable growth. It highlights the importance of involving internal and external stakeholders and exploring various parking reforms beyond just abolishing minimums, such as addressing electric vehicle adoption and curb space usage changes driven by evolving consumer habits. Overall, the article encourages creativity and community engagement in implementing parking reforms tailored to local needs.

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Tags:

Public Parking, Parking Minimums, Parking Facilities, Entitlements, Zoning Requirements, Permitting

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