Boston City Council Approves Maximum Parking Ratios

An innovative set of zoning reforms have two more approvals left to become law.

1 minute read

November 1, 2021, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bunker Hill, Charlestown

Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

A pair of recently published articles updated one of the big planning reform stories of October, after the Boston City Council approved new Maximum Parking Ratios as part of new planning guidelines for large developments.

Tim Logan reports the news for the Boston Globe in a paywalled article that puts the planning reform in context of a recent development controversy in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.

In another article on the subject, Christian MilNeil reports that the proposed reforms still require approval from the Board of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) and the Boston Zoning Commission to take effect.

"The changes would complement recent rule changes to the city’s “Article 80” permitting process that will limit the amount of parking that developers would be allowed to build in large developments (over 50,000 square feet)," according to MilNeil.

For additional background on the proposed zoning changes, see a Planetizen article from October.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 in Streetsblog Mass

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

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.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

3 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

4 hours ago - Newsweek

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.