Made possible through the hard work of volunteers from Parking Reform Network and Strong Towns, the Parking Mandates Map showcases over 3,000 cities across the globe that have taken steps towards reducing parking mandates or eliminating them entirely.

This project is based on “A Map of Cities That Got Rid of Parking Minimums”, initially published by Strong Towns in November 2015.

Click the information icon (second from the top right) to learn how to use the mandates map. Continue reading below the map for helpful definitions and insights.

You can submit an update to the map by filling out this form. Send any feedback you have to [email protected]

If this map has been helpful to you, please support our work with a monthly donation.

Parking Mandates

Parking mandates require new land developments to include a minimum, often arbitrary number of parking spaces. Over the last century, these costly requirements have contributed to urban sprawl, car dependency, lack of abundant and affordable housing, and climate change.

In recent years, however, many places have updated their zoning policies to exempt new buildings from minimum parking mandates. Sometimes the new policies are limited to specific streets and particular land uses, or are based on proximity to transit and affordable housing. In some cases, the new policies include parking maximums that limit the number of parking spaces allowed in new developments. Regardless of the details, it’s clear that parking reform is gaining momentum.

Key Takeaways

• A very large number of cities have eliminated minimum requirements for a very small portion of their communities. Of the over 3,000 examined codes, approximately 20% have abolished or reduced parking mandates citywide. The remainder have eliminated parking requirements in specific areas such as a central business district, main street, or historic district. In fact, several codes limited parking reforms to two to four blocks within a downtown or commercial district, as seen below. Eliminating minimum parking requirements is progress no matter which way you cut it, but limiting it to such an insignificant area also limits the positive impacts of these policies. Cities with such boundaries should consider expanding them to mirror the pace of their population, density, and development growth.

• Parking reform heavily leans toward commercial land uses. More often than not, parking requirements for commercial land uses are the first to go. Nearly every map entry eliminates mandates for commercial/retail development, facilitating walkable downtowns and commercial districts, but residential reform is just as important and has much more conservative parking ratios. Parking requirements for residential land uses are typically reserved for individuals and remain vacant for large portions of the day. Tackling residential parking requirements remains a major opportunity in the parking reform movement.
• Parking maximums are not uncommon. Parking maximums (a required cap on the total number of parking spaces constructed) have been a polarizing reform strategy in recent years due to concerns surrounding developer push-back and vehicle access limitations. But with 48 code entries–many of which being in communities with under 50,000 people–they seem to be less controversial than anticipated. One of the many benefits of having a crowdsourced map is that communities adopting bold and progressive reforms can share their accomplishments, encourage others to do the same, and create a cycle of parking reform throughout the country. But don’t take our word for it, check out the map to read more about these policies and check out what’s new below.

Definitions

What does “Implementation Status” mean?

• Proposed – This reform has been proposed by an elected/appointed official or by a planning department.
• Planned – The city has approved a long-range plan or other aspirational guide to study removal/reductions in car parking. Could also be planning commission passage.
• Passed – City Council or the governing planning body has passed the parking reform policy.
• Implemented – The policy has gone into effect and is the current law of the land.
• Repealed – Parking reform has been reversed due to legal challenges or superseding legislation.

What does “Affected Land Use” mean?

• All Uses – Reform applies to all land developments.
• Commercial – Reform applies to development for commercial use.
• Industrial – Reform applies to industrial developments (e.g., a factory).
• Medical – Reform applies to developments that relate to medicine (e.g., a hospital).
• Other – Reform applies to other developments (e.g., schools, churches, arenas).
• Residential, all uses – Reform applies to all housing developments.
• Residential, low-density – Reform applies to single-family homes and small housing developments such as duplexes.
• Residential, multi-family – Reform applies to higher-density housing such as apartment buildings, midrises, etc.

What does “Scope of Reform” mean?

• Citywide – Reform applies citywide (special exemptions, hazard zones, etc. are OK).
• Regional – Reform applies to an entire region (e.g., state, country).
• City Center/Business District – Reform applies to certain centers, corridors, and districts.
• Transit Oriented – Reform is based on transit stations and bus lines.
• Main Street/Special – Reform is specific to certain streets, historic districts, etc.

What does “Policy Change” mean?

• Reduce parking minimums – Parking requirements have been lowered, but not eliminated. This could be overall or based on inclusionary housing, transit proximity, etc.
• Remove parking minimums – Parking requirements can be completely avoided either by right or reasonable conditions.
• Add parking maximums – Limits on the amount of parking which can be built.