PRINCIPLE NO. 6 Lower Parking Ratios
The required parking ratio for a land use should be enforced as both a maximum and a minimum in order to curb excess parking.
Existing parking ratios should conform to local and/or national rates.
Notes:
Many communities often determine minimum parking ratios by adopting and modifying requirements of neighboring communities or by using the Institute of Transportation Engineers information publication. In many cases, these parking ratios are excessive and there are no set maximum parking ratios. The fear of complaints and loss of customers, as well as the requirements for commercial loans are disincentives for setting maximum parking ratios. As a result, many parking lots are often fully utilized only for a few hours each year.
Communities should check their codes to make sure that the minimum and maximum number of spaces required is consistent with the demand for uses. By referring to a wide range of national, regional and/or local studies as opposed to just one source, communities can evaluate their parking needs more accurately, thereby reducing the need to create unnecessary parking spaces. This type of assessment can reduce construction and stormwater management costs.