Housing Affordability Institute released a new white paper today examining how parking mandates can impact housing affordability and access. The white paper is part of the Institute’s Affordability Roadblocks series highlighting housing policy issues adversely impacting housing affordability and access.

Parking mandates are local zoning requirements that mandate a minimum number of parking spaces required for various types of developments: commercial, residential, and even public facilities.

“Parking mandate reform is a prime example of how housing affordability can be increased at no cost to government entities,” said Nick Erickson, executive director of Housing Affordability Institute. “As policymakers examine zoning reform, elimination of parking mandates must be on the table as part of broader zoning reform efforts.”

Highlights

• Parking minimums have been criticized for the adverse impact they have on housing affordability, property rights, and environmental sustainability.
• Parking can add $225 a month in for-rent situations and a third stall for a garage can cost $40,000.
• Across the country, local and state governments are taking action on parking minimums. Federal action banning the establishment of parking minimums has also been introduced in Congress this year.

Read: Parking Mandates