Californians Could Get a Tax Credit for Not Owning Cars

The bill’s sponsors say it’s only fair to extend tax relief to Californians who don’t own cars as the state aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease driving.

1 minute read

June 8, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


A bill proposed by California State Senator Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada/Flintridge) and sponsored by Streets for All would offer a $2,500 per person tax credit to taxpayers who don’t own cars or whose households have fewer cars than people. According to an article by Melanie Curry in Streetsblog California, “It’s a stimulus aimed at people who need it most – those who cannot afford a car – as well as an incentive for everyone to reduce dependence on cars.”

With the transportation sector as the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the state, “California is investing a lot of money into helping drivers transition to electric vehicles, via direct incentives to car buyers, building infrastructure, and tax breaks for electric car owners.” But according to the state’s Air Resources Board, “Californians will need to drive less, full stop.”

As Curry notes, “Better transit and safer bike and pedestrian infrastructure will be absolutely be necessary. But millions of Californians do get by without owning cars, either because they can’t afford one or don’t want to add a further burden to the environment. This bill would reward people for living car-free or ‘car-light,’ and encourage more people to do so.”

Monday, June 6, 2022 in Streetsblog California

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

A view of the Boise skyline, across tress int he foreground. The state capitol is visible amongst other office buildings.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise

A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

March 20, 2023 - Boise Dev

Buildings on Wall Street, New York City

The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ for Office Conversion

A formula for the ideal office-to-housing candidate.

March 21, 2023 - Fast Company

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Developers Push Back on Zoning Review Fees

An increase in fees for commercial construction projects is raising concerns from local developers who say the industry already faces rising costs to build in the city.

34 minutes ago - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Aerial view of traffic on road and buildings in the Bronx, New York City

MTA Proposes Pollution Mitigation Spending for the Bronx

Acknowledging the impact the city’s proposed congestion pricing program could have on underserved neighborhoods, the agency plans to spend over $130 million in revenue from the program on air filtration, trees, and other pollution reduction measures.

1 hour ago - The New York Times

South of Market

11,000 Housing Units Possible with S.F. Office Conversions, Study Says

A new study by SPUR and the Urban Land Institute’s San Francisco chapter estimates a specific number of apartment units that could be built from vacant office units in the city.

March 29 - The San Francisco Chronicle

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.