California Poised To Eliminate Parking Requirements Near Transit

A California law approved by the state’s legislature would eliminate minimum parking requirements around transit stations statewide in an effort to reduce housing construction costs and boost public transit use, biking, and walking. As Brian White reports for CBS 8, “If signed into law, it would essentially ban mandatory parking space requirements for residential or commercial buildings within a half-mile of public transit.”

According to Senator Anthony Portantino, a co-author of the bill who spoke with CBS 8, “We want to make sure that we respect a movement towards an alternative way of getting to work, which is on a bicycle or on mass transit.”

Additionally, reducing the number of parking spaces built can dramatically lower the cost of construction, as a parking spot can cost $40,000 to $100,000 in additional building costs. “Senator Portantino says that while parking spaces may not be required near public transit, it doesn’t mean builders will always choose to have zero parking in these areas,” and developers can make their own decisions based on the characteristics of their community and residents.

The movement to eliminate minimum parking requirements has gained momentum in recent years as more and more cities relax their regulations, particularly in areas near public transit.