Large buildings with uses of all kinds will be subject to Boston's new "Maximum Parking Ratios."

Christian MilNeil reports: "The City of Boston recently announced new planning guidelines for large developments that will limit the amount of parking that developers will be allowed to build, with stricter limits applying in the city’s most transit-accessible neighborhoods."
The city laid out the new "Maximum Parking Ratios" in a new map, with tables and a color code that matches ratios to corresponding land uses.
"In downtown, the South End, and Back Bay, where transit options are most abundant and city streets are the most congested, the new rules would limit developers to building, at most, 0.35 parking spaces per rental apartment, and 0.3 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of office or lab space," explains MilNeil to provide some specificity on the parking ratios.
"The new maximum parking ratios only to large projects that are over 50,000 square feet in size, which is roughly the size of a 50-unit apartment building."
Differentiating these Maximum Parking Ratios from zoning reforms that remove minimum parking requirements—a more common practice in U.S. cities with every passing year—MilNeil explains that political support is building for more comprehensive parking reforms.
These Maximum Parking Ratios are a critical first step in the larger reform effort.
The Maximum Parking Ratios do accomplish reforms for minimum parking requirements, however. "Throughout the entire city, the new guidelines also specify that zero parking would be allowed for new developments, in conjunction with required 'transportation demand management' plans to provide more car-free transportation options," adds MilNeil.
FULL STORY: Boston Establishes Maximum Parking Rules for Large Developments

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service