Parking Reform Bill to be Introduced at Federal Level

The legislation, which would ban parking requirements near transit to encourage housing development and bring down housing costs, would be a rare federal preemption of local control.

1 minute read

May 9, 2023, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Blue sign with white Parking text and arrow pointing into garage

Davslens Photography / Parking garage sign

Following a flurry of parking reform bills at the local and state level, Rep. Robert Garcia (D—California) is introducing a bill that would eliminate minimum parking requirements near transit stations nationwide. As explained by Eliza Relman and Bryan Metzger in Business Insider, “The legislation aims to promote housing density and walkability in urban areas by getting rid of requirements that developers provide a certain amount of off-street parking with every project.” 

Garcia hopes at least some Republican lawmakers will support the bill, saying that housing affordability and accessibility are issues that “everyone should be behind.”

An article in Reason by Christian Britschgi further explains the historic nature of federal-level zoning reform, a project traditionally considered the right of local jurisdictions. Although federal legislation affecting zoning and land use is rare, laws such as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 provide past models for federal preemption of local zoning controls.

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Business Insider

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View from lakeside with green grass and pink blooming flowers

Who Benefits Most from Land Conservation Efforts?

A new study estimates that recent land conservation generated $9.8 billion in wealth nationally through the housing market and that wealthier and White households benefited disproportionately.

27 minutes ago - PNAS

Close-up of black parking meter with blurred street in background

Richmond Repeals Parking Minimums, Encourages Off-Street Parking and Transit

The Virginia city is replete with underused off-street parking lots, which city councilors hope to make available for parking at more times while encouraging transit use.

1 hour ago - Next City

Multi-Family Housing

Lack of Multi-Family Zones Contributes to Nashville’s High Housing Costs, Study Says

Nashville and surrounding communities allow for a relatively small amount of multi-family housing, according to a new zoning atlas of Middle Tennessee. A regionally focused nonprofit is using the atlas to push for zoning reforms.

2 hours ago - Axios Nashville

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

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.