The legislation, which would ban parking requirements near transit to encourage housing development and bring down housing costs, would be a rare federal preemption of local control.
Following a flurry of parking reform bills at the local and state level, Rep. Robert Garcia (D—California) is introducing a bill that would eliminate minimum parking requirements near transit stations nationwide. As explained by Eliza Relman and Bryan Metzger in Business Insider, “The legislation aims to promote housing density and walkability in urban areas by getting rid of requirements that developers provide a certain amount of off-street parking with every project.”
Garcia hopes at least some Republican lawmakers will support the bill, saying that housing affordability and accessibility are issues that “everyone should be behind.”
An article in Reason by Christian Britschgi further explains the historic nature of federal-level zoning reform, a project traditionally considered the right of local jurisdictions. Although federal legislation affecting zoning and land use is rare, laws such as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 provide past models for federal preemption of local zoning controls.
Austin Eliminates Parking Requirements
After eliminating downtown parking requirements ten years ago, the city will now end minimum parking mandates citywide.
Small Towns Lead in Parking Reform
Small towns and communities around the country are eliminating parking requirements at a faster rate than big cities.
Colorado Lawmakers Renew Zoning Reform Efforts
The state legislature will consider a package of land use laws aimed at increasing the housing supply and reducing housing costs.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research