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.

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.

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie