Austin Eliminates Parking Requirements

A resolution passed almost unanimously by the Austin City Council eliminates minimum parking requirements citywide, writes Jo Clifton in the Austin Monitor. “The city eliminated downtown parking requirements, except for spaces for those with disabilities, in 2013. Thursday’s resolution would not change Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.”

“Under current regulations, the builder of an apartment complex must build 1.5 parking spaces for every one-bedroom apartment in the complex. According to the resolution, the cost of building a single parking space ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, adding that ‘those costs are passed along to homebuyers and renters.’”

The resolution’s lead sponsor, Council Member Zo Qadri, said the city’s development code was standing in the way of boosting the housing supply and reducing carbon emissions. “I think our priorities should be space for people rather than mandating space for cars,” Qadri said. The move aligns with the city’s goal to increase non-single-occupancy vehicle trips by 50 percent by 2039.

Parking reform is having a moment nationwide as more cities and states reduce or eliminate longstanding parking mandates. A bill proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives could even bar cities from imposing parking requirements near transit at the federal level.