Seattle Considering a Sweeping Parking Reform Package

There are a lot of ways to "right-size" parking, as the city of Seattle is showing with an ordinance under consideration by a City Council committee today.

1 minute read

February 21, 2018, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle South Lake Union

Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons

The city of Seattle is considering a package of parking reforms that would change everything from parking amounts to bicycle parking requirements and the definition of frequent transit service, as well as adding a new "flexible-use parking" designation to the city's land use code.

Stephen Fesler previews the ordinance in its current form, listing the changes made to the ordinance since it first went public in September 2017. At that time, Fesler provided a "deep dive" into the city's proposed parking reforms. Doug Trumm also provided coverage of the proposed parking reforms in September 2017. Parking reform is in the news in Seattle again as the Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee of the City Council will have a public hearing on the ordinance today.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in The Urbanist

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

Close-up of older woman's hands resting on white modern heating radiator mounted on wall indoors.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program

The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.

45 minutes ago - The New York Times

View of rotating restaurant tower in downtown San Antonio, Texas through older brick high-rise buildings.

San Antonio Remains Affordable as City Grows

The city’s active efforts to keep housing costs down through housing reforms and coordinated efforts among city agencies and developers have kept it one of the most affordable in the nation despite its rapid population growth.

1 hour ago - Governing

Close-up on U.S. Forest Service plaque.

What Forest Service Cuts Mean for Cities

U.S. Forest Service employees work on projects that have impacts far beyond remote, rural wilderness areas.

2 hours ago - Greater Greater Washington