NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums

Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.

1 minute read

September 29, 2023, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of vertical PARK sign on multistory urban parking garage.

vin / Adobe Stock

As part of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s ambitious package of zoning reforms, the city is proposing eliminating parking requirements for new buildings to reduce construction costs and, subsequently, housing costs. “Adams said that each parking space adds about $67,500 in construction costs,” explains Julianne Cuba in Streetsblog NYC.

According to David McCarty of Alloy Development, “More projects become financeable and more units get built. The only way to address affordability is adding a lot more supply into the market.” Cuba points out that housing costs are largely driven by demand, but construction costs can add to the price of new units. “And so eliminating the requirement will help reduce that burden by removing the extra cost so that housing for people — rather than cars — can be built, experts say.”

The proposed zoning change will have to pass through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, with a final vote next fall.

Monday, September 25, 2023 in StreetsBlog NYC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Close-up of rear car bumper in traffic on freeway.

Research Shows More Roads = More Driving

A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.

March 23, 2025 - Road Capacity as a Fundamental Determinant of Vehicle Travel

School District of Philadelphia building with large silver title lettering and taller buildings visible in background.

Concrete to Community: A Schoolyard Makeover in West Philly

With guidance from the Trust for Public Land, third graders at Overbrook Elementary are leading the redesign of their asphalt schoolyard into a vibrant green space, learning valuable skills and creating lasting community impact in the process.

30 minutes ago - WHYY

Two white and red Stadler electric Caltrain trains next to each other on a sunny day.

Which US Rail Agencies Are Buying Zero-Emissions Trains?

U.S. rail agencies are slowly making the shift to zero-emissions trains, which can travel longer distances without refueling and reduce air pollution.

March 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Front of San Diego High School with students milling around.

San Diego School District Approves Affordable Housing Plan

The district plans to build workforce housing for 10 percent of its employees in the next decade and explore other ways to contribute to housing development.

March 30 - The San Diego Union-Tribune