Less mandatory parking for DC and Montgomery County

Less mandatory parking for DC and Montgomery County

Proposed revisions of the zoning codes in DC and Montgomery County, Maryland will require developers to build much less parking when they build residential, retail and restaurant developments. Considering the economics for the developers, if parking isnt required, they are unlikely to build it.

DC spent six years and Montgomery County, four to write their codes, DC for the first time since 1958. Both jurisdictions are aiming for more walkable neighborhoods served by transit, walking and bicycling. DC proposes to eliminate parking requirements entirely downtown and cut them in half for areas near transit. The director of the DC Office of Planning frequently notes that nearly 40 percent of District households dont own a car.

Both jurisdictions are working on ways that underused parking lots – church lots during the week or office lots in the evening – could be used by those needing parking during off hours. Both planning offices plan a series of public hearings on the proposed changes.