The True Cost of Free Parking

Mandatory parking minimums are a stealth tax on development. This tool calculates the financial burden imposed by zoning ordinances requiring off-street parking.

Zoning Burden

Total Spots Required

Total Capital Cost

Cost Added Per Unit

Why does this matter?

If a city requires 2 spots per unit, and the site requires structured parking, the developer must add $50,000 to the cost of every single apartment before a shovel hits the dirt. This legally prohibits the construction of affordable housing. See our Missing Middle Housing guide for context on how this impacts neighborhood fabric.