Residential parking requirements are a key reform identified by recent Vermont studies as a means of improving access to new housing. The cost of required parking spaces increases housing costs and rents. Estimates of the cost of a single parking space range from $5,000-$80,000/space depending on the location of the space (with space in parking structures at the higher end of the cost range). In addition to cost, parking space requirements may reduce the number of homes created or prevent a housing development from happening altogether. Smaller multi-family dwellings can be nearly impossible to construct affordably when excessive parking is required. In addition to limiting housing affordability and availability, parking requirements can also create adverse, unnecessary impervious surfaces with adverse environmental impacts if required parking spaces sit unused.
Developers often remain sensitive to consumer preferences for parking, even in the absence of city requirements. A large study in Seattle showed that 70% of recent housing developments included parking where none was required.
Minimum parking requirements should rarely be more than one on-site space per housing unit, according to Vermont’s Zoning for Great Neighborhoods study. The effects of excessive parking requirements on housing cost and availability are often underestimated and should be measured locally. High parking requirements can block new housing options that fit seamlessly into existing neighborhoods such as small infill buildings and conversion of large houses into multiple apartments. (See attached parking sections from Enabling Better Places: A Zoning Guide for Vermont Neighborhoods attached).
Recommendations in the June 2022 Winooski Parking Management Plan would also reduce the negative impact of parking requirements on housing costs and availability. Although the plan’s recommendations are synchronized to work together, the plan specifically suggests removing parking requirements for affordable housing and reducing them for market-rate residential developments.
Parking reform examples
This web-based parking mandates map shows the prevalence of parking reforms nationwide, including in Burlington and South Burlington. Burlington has largely removed parking minimums. South Burlington has eliminated all parking minimums except for multi-unit housing (which ranges from 0.75 spaces/unit to 1.5 spaces/unit depending on # bedrooms).
Resources
Local Housing Solutions overview on reduced parking requirements
Vermont Land Use Planning Implementation Manual
Parking Policy & Housing Affordability: How minimum parking requirements impact housing costs and what cities can do about it
Report prepared by: Nate Jo, Whatcom Housing Alliance Policy Intern, June 2022
Parking policy: The effects of residential minimum parking requirements in Seattle
C.J. Gabbe, Gregory Pierce, Gordon Clowers in Land Use Policy, Feb 2020
People Over Parking: Planners are reevaluating parking requirements for affordable housing, October 2018
Beyond Vermont: Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York City; Seattle, Washington
The Urban Land Institute; Vermont Planning Information Center; The White House