Parking ordinances are the laws and regulations a local government adopts to govern parking within its jurisdiction, both on the street and in private development.
They do two very different jobs. Some manage the public curb: time limits, meters, permits and enforcement. Others, usually in the zoning code, govern how much parking private development must build and how it must be designed. The second set has shaped cities more than almost any other rule.
What parking ordinances cover
- Supply requirements. Minimum parking requirements, maximums, and fees in lieu of building spaces. See required parking spaces.
- Design standards. Stall and aisle dimensions, accessible parking, landscaping, lighting and stormwater. See parking geometry.
- On-street rules. Time limits, zones, residential permits, loading and meters.
- Pricing. Meter rates and how they are set, including demand-based pricing.
- Enforcement. Citations, fines, towing and appeals.
The reform trend
Many cities and several states have reduced or eliminated parking minimums near transit or citywide, and some allow shared parking and unbundled parking by right. California’s AB 2097 limits minimums near major transit.
The Parkonomics view
A city’s parking ordinance is a statement of how it expects people to travel. Updating it is often the fastest, cheapest transportation policy change available.
Related terms: Parking Minimums, Required Parking Spaces, AB 2097, Fees in Lieu, Land Use Planning