D.C. Limits Parking to Promote Bicycling and Transit

As part of a broader effort to encourage less vehicular traffic city-wide, D.C. is expanding permit parking and reducing on-street parking in some of the city's most crowded neighborhoods. Not all are happy with the changes, reports Tim Craig.

2 minute read

November 27, 2012, 6:00 AM PST

By Jessica Hsu


In rapidly developing neighborhoods such as Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and the U Street Corridor, the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) is eliminating half of visitor parking spaces on weekdays to make sure there is enough parking for residents. "There are only so many parking spaces on streets, and eventually there is going to be a time when the numbers don't add up anymore or demand way overexceeds supply and we have a problem," said Angela Rao, manager of the District's parking and streetlight program. DDOT is also considering community requests to extend this restriction over the weekend in congested Ward 1 neighborhoods.

Other transit changes to come include creating bicycle lanes and setting aside hundreds of metered parking spaces for the disabled. "The restrictions are a slice of a city strategy to promote bicycling and mass transit while increasing the odds that residents can find parking," explains Craig.

Concerns have been voiced by council member Marion Barry who said, "We need bike lanes, but we also need parking," and Craig points out that "the new regulations could add more confusion to the array of parking restrictions that at times baffle even DDOT officials." However, Mayor Vincent C. Gray has set a goal of having 75 percent of all trips in the city take place on foot, bicycle or public transportation by 2032. His communications director Pedro Ribeiro said, "It's not just about creating as much parking as possible. The city is growing, and if every single one of these new residents had a car, there wouldn't be enough parking for everyone, so the idea is to build neighborhoods where you don't need a car."

From the opposing view, resident Anita Taliferro Swanson and her husband Gregory Swanson doubt that the changes will improve parking problems and create walkable communities. She said, "We remember when everyone promised the construction of Metro would cause parking to get better. But how are you going to tell people in America to give up their car?"

Saturday, November 24, 2012 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

1 hour ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

2 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

3 hours ago - CNU Public Square

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.