Minimum Knowledge about Minimum Parking Requirements

by Victoria Broadus

22 July, 2010

WHAT THEY ARE

Minimum parking requirements require developers to construct a minimum number of parking spots, depending on the zone and type of development — business or residential, for instance. As Michael Lewyn points out, for new residential developments in Jacksonville, Florida, developers must provide 1.75 parking spaces per one-bedroom apartment, even though 16 percent of Jacksonville renters don’t even own one car. In New York City’s case, in some lower-density zones like Staten Island — and even parts of the Bronx — parking space requirements reach up to two spaces per residential unit.

WHAT THEY DO

Here’s why minimum parking requirements need to be “turned on their heads” and evolve into maximum parking limits for new developments:

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