The city could remove parking mandates citywide to reduce the cost of housing construction and ease permitting for new projects.
Following Colorado’s decision to bar parking minimums within a quarter mile of transit stations, Denver officials are considering eliminating parking requirements citywide.
As Asia Mieleszko explains in the Strong Towns blog, “Parking minimums are largely based on flawed assumptions and outdated traffic models, often resembling pseudoscience more than sound policy. For builders and city planners alike, they create unnecessary hurdles, inflating costs and stalling projects that could otherwise bring much-needed housing and economic activity to Denver’s neighborhoods.”
Cities around the country are moving to eliminate parking minimums, which can significantly increase the cost of new housing units and make some development financially infeasible. According to Mieleszko, “By reforming its parking requirements, Denver can lower development costs, make better use of available space, and give builders more flexibility.”
FULL STORY: Denver Is Tired of Subsidizing Parking
Parking Reform Yields New Housing
As more cities eliminate or reduce their minimum parking requirements, the impact on housing supply is coming into focus.
Dallas Considers Nixing Parking Requirements
According to one local official, Dallas projects routinely build 20 to 30 percent more parking than they need, driving up the cost of housing and leading to unsustainable land use patterns.
Colorado Bill Would End Minimum Parking Requirements
Supporters of the bill say eliminating parking mandates would make housing more affordable and reduce carbon emissions.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
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