Salem advances parking reform eliminating minimums to boost housing development

The Salem City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on June 25, 2025, focused on the critical topic of parking reform and its implications for housing development in the city. The discussion highlighted the findings from interviews conducted by project team member Alexis Smith in 2022, which revealed significant costs associated with parking construction—$35,000 for structured parking and $10,000 to $15,000 for surface spaces. These costs, which have likely increased, underscore the financial burden that parking requirements impose on housing projects.

The meeting emphasized that parking reform aims to create more flexible policies regarding parking requirements. This includes reducing or eliminating parking minimums and introducing parking maximums, which can lead to more efficient use of space and resources. The goal is to encourage sustainable development while addressing the ongoing housing affordability crisis in Salem and beyond.

Robin, another member of the project team, explained that parking reform is gaining traction across the United States, with many jurisdictions adopting measures to reduce parking requirements. Recent examples include Washington State's Parking Reform and Modernization Act and Colorado's legislation eliminating parking minimums in transit-rich areas. The discussion also noted that smaller municipalities, such as Hartford, Connecticut, have successfully eliminated parking minimums, demonstrating that such reforms can be beneficial regardless of community size.

In Massachusetts, the Unlocking Housing Production Commission has recommended eliminating parking minimums statewide for residential uses, reflecting a growing recognition of the link between parking policies and housing availability. Salem has already taken steps in this direction by eliminating parking minimums for commercial uses in its Central Business District, aligning with broader goals of economic vibrancy and walkability.

The meeting concluded with a discussion of the potential benefits of parking reform, including increased housing supply, reduced development costs, and improved environmental outcomes. Research indicates that cities that have implemented parking reforms, like Seattle and Buffalo, have seen significant increases in housing availability, further supporting the case for reform in Salem.

As the city moves forward, the committee's discussions will likely inform future policies aimed at enhancing housing development while balancing the needs of the community.