CITYBUILDER Brief: NC Ends Wasteful Parking Mandates
Parking minimums are gone; Raleigh considers exempt plats. Take our survey on Monday!
On the National Radar:
NC Ends Parking Minimums (almost) Statewide
Signed by Stein: On Monday, Governor Stein signed the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act (aka H162). When the bill takes effect on January 1st, 2027, North Carolina will be the first state in the nation to eliminate nearly all parking minimums statewide (parking minimums are still active in coastal counties), covering 90% of the state’s population.
First in the nation: While some cities had already removed parking mandates, and other states have limited them on housing projects or in transit areas, NC is leading the way on ending parking mandates across the board for housing and commercial projects alike. Allowing businesses and builders to choose how much parking they need has been shown to reduce costs, and it also reduces the environmental impact and flooding risks caused by parking lots.
Environmental Impact: It’s no secret that parking lots lead to major stormwater runoff, flooding, and pollution across our state. That’s why Catawba Riverkeepers was a key part of making this bill possible. Included in the bill is a provision that grants local municipalities the ability to offer incentives to increase stormwater protections when properties are redeveloped. This is a big win too.
More room for housing: To top it all off, NC’s parking reforms will make room for more homes in walkable areas. Cutting down on 30-minute commutes? Count us in! If you helped us advocate for this reform in any way, from calling your state senator to being a paid subscriber, we sincerely thank you.
