San José Could Eliminate Parking Minimums

The city of San José has the highest minimum parking requirements in the state. Now, it is weighing a proposal that would do away with them altogether and let developers decide how much parking to build.

2 minute read

September 1, 2021, 10:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Disabled Parking

Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock

Maggie Angst reports on the city of San José's proposed elimination of minimum parking requirements, a move that would reduce the cost of new construction and free developers from outdated mandates.

According to Jared Hart of the city’s planning department, one of the ordinance's key goals is "to rightsize parking by effectively removing an arbitrary required zoning code and allow developers to decide on the appropriate amount of parking based on a project’s location, tenants and access to transit." This would provide a more "market-based approach" to parking to ensure more appropriate levels of parking at new developments.

"The elimination of minimum parking requirements not only would provide developers with more leeway to decide the adequate amount of parking spaces for new projects on an individual basis, but it would also allow existing businesses to move into older buildings that may not meet current parking minimums or convert existing parking spaces into permanent outdoor dining areas." The plan would also move San José closer to its goal of reducing single-driver commute trips to 25% by 2040.

Some critics of the plan worry that it would create hardship for low-income residents in a city "which lacks robust public transit options and already suffers from parking shortages in neighborhoods across the city." But San José's minimum parking requirements exceed those of every other major California city, even surpassing famously car-centric Los Angeles.

"The city council will decide whether to approve the plan at a meeting in January 2022."

Friday, August 27, 2021 in The Mercury News

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

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Colorful blocky apartment building facade.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software

Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

4 hours ago - Stateline

Silver electric BMW car parked in driveway of home in Oakland, California.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers

Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

5 hours ago - City of Oakland

Sculpture of seated Jane Goodall holding hands with chimp on green lawn.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action

Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.

6 hours ago - Pasadena Star-News