Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Boulder, Colorado’s city council voted unanimously to eliminate parking requirements for new developments. The ordinance requires one final vote and is expected to take effect in August.

According to an article by John Herrick for Boulder Reporting Lab, “The change is intended to reduce the cost of building housing and opening businesses, while helping the city transition away from an urban landscape designed with cars in mind. It’s also part of a broader push to promote alternatives to driving.”

The ordinance goes above and beyond a state law that bars cities from enacting parking minimums near transit stops by covering the entire city. “A separate ordinance approved on Thursday also revises Boulder’s neighborhood parking permit program. It will soon apply to areas outside of low-density neighborhoods and reduce the number of permits available per household to one permit per licensed driver.”

“Later this year, the Boulder City Council will consider a transportation demand management policy aimed at encouraging people to walk, bike or take transit instead of driving. A central component would require developers to pay into a fund that subsidizes alternative transportation options, such as free bus passes or Lime e-scooter accounts, for residents and employees.” The city also plans to update its regulations to require bike parking, as well as larger spaces for cargo bikes and e-bike charging facilities.