Parking Minimums Eliminated in Austin
Historic Win
It has been a saga over the last decade between Code Next - and the following 18 variations of #CodeNext. Then VMU2, which ended in lawsuit in December 2023 was shut down. But the City of Austin regrouped and instituted DB90 late February 2024. So many exciting twist and turns these days as the Austin City Council, Austin Land Planners, and Austin Developers work together, often for different reasons, to build more density into our city.
No Parking Requirements is the most shocking of all. Everyone has been asking, when does the Parking Elimination go into effect in our land code and city regualtion? Can I take advantage if I have already submitted my site plan? The answer is November 12, 2023.
READ MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF AUSTIN
HISTORY
Sooner than anyone expected, Austin City Council voted to eliminate parking minimums citywide, becoming the largest American city to do so.
THE VOTE: The item passed Nov. 2 on an 8-2 vote with Councilmembers Alison Alter and Kelly opposed. This item was originally proposed as a resolution in May by Councilmember Zo Qadri.
IN THE TRENCHES: RECA has advocated for this item for several years, dating back to the first draft of CodeNEXT in 2016. This means that new projects no longer have to overbuild parking to satisfy outdated City regulations, saving review time and money and allowing for more units or commercial square footage on the same footprint.
IN THE PRESS: RECA Board Chair Cooper Drenner was quoted in Councilmember Zo Qadri’s press release sent to local, state, and national outlets:
“We are excited that this Council has recognized that overbuilding parking is bad for affordability, for transit, for the environment, and for livability in Austin,” said Drenner. “Parking won’t disappear overnight, but this ordinance will allow for the type of incremental change that will help us build more attainably-priced housing for Austinites. We are excited to use this regulatory change to be part of the solution for affordability.”
RECA MEMBERS STEP UP: RECA members who have emailed, called, met with, and presented to Council over the past 6 years in support of eliminating parking minimums. RECA advocates for these issues on our members’ behalf every day, and your voices help make the difference.
This ordinance has the potential to benefit your projects, even those that are in review. Below are some questions and answers about this ordinance and its implementation.
When does this take effect? Ordinances take effect 10 days after they are passed by Council, so this will take effect on November 12.
Where can I find the code changes? The code changes will not be posted to Municode for a while, so you can find the changes at this link in the interim.
Will I be able to provide zero parking spaces? Likely not unless you have exemptions; there are still requirements for ADA and bicycle parking within the ordinance.
Does this impose a maximum number of parking spaces on my project? No. While this item removes minimums, it does not impose maximums. Parking maximums would need to be separately considered by Council.
Does this only apply to new site plans submitted on or after November 12? Local Government Code Ch. 245 allows applicants to take advantage of regulation changes they deem beneficial to their projects even if they have already submitted their applications. If you have already submitted a site plan with the City but would like to see what your options are for changes to parking, please contact Curtis.beaty@austintexas.gov.
If you have any other questions about implementation, please reach out to Alina Carnahan, RECA VP of Advocacy: alina.carnahan@reca.org.