Parking Reform Yields New Housing

Evidence from cities that have reduced or eliminated parking requirements shows that the changes have led to new housing construction — the expected outcome for many parking reform and housing advocates who say unnecessary parking minimums drive up the cost of housing, limit development on smaller lots, and induce sprawl. 

According to an article by Martha C. White in The New York Times, “A 2022 study by the Regional Plan Association, a nonprofit group focused on the New York City area, found that more low-income housing was built in city neighborhoods where parking requirements were reduced.” In Seattle, 60 percent of new development after parking reform would not have been possible under the city’s old regulations.

Despite concerns about not having enough parking, the availability of parking is often about management rather than quantity. “Housing advocates, developers and urbanists harboring visions of less car-centric cityscapes say the rules have little to no bearing on actual demand for parking.” Moreover, removing parking minimums doesn’t prevent developers from building as much parking as they believe is needed.