Boulder Could Eliminate Parking Requirements Citywide

A study showing that Boulder, Colorado has almost twice as many parking spots as are needed at any given time is prompting city officials to consider eliminating minimum parking requirements, writes John Herrick for Boulder Reporting Lab.

“At retail locations, nearly half of the parking spots go unused during peak times on average. Similarly, more than half of the spaces at office locations remain empty on average.” That number falls in residential areas to 30 percent, Herrick notes, while 35 percent of trips in the city are made in single-occupancy vehicles.

This overabundance of parking is driving up housing costs, increasing the city’s temperature and making streets more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians by encouraging more cars on the road, according to transportation reform advocates.

Boulder planners say getting rid of parking minimums across the city would reduce the cost of housing and allow developers to build parking as needed. City officials are also considering a “transportation demand management” ordinance that would require developers to include more infrastructure for non-auto modes in their projects and offer perks to residents such as transit passes and secure bike parking areas.