While major urban centers have received attention for eliminating parking minimums, smaller towns across the United States are now experiencing significant economic benefits from similar reforms. According to the Parking Reform Network's mandates map, for every large U.S. city that has removed these requirements, two smaller towns have successfully done the same.
Port Townsend, Washington, a historic waterfront town with a population just over 10,000, eliminated parking mandates in 2024, converting minimum parking requirements to recommendations after research showed the city was using too many parking spaces that could be repurposed. Similarly, Charlottesville, Virginia, with a population of 47,000, passed a comprehensive zoning code in late 2023 that did away with parking requirements entirely.
These examples are particularly relevant for municipalities like Haltom City, Texas, where outdated parking regulations are hindering economic development. "It's interesting that many people in Haltom City think parking reform is just for big cities," said Joe Palmer, communications director for Haltom United Business Alliance. "I think they'd be pleasantly surprised to learn about the success stories of smaller cities just like Haltom City that have reaped benefits from getting rid of parking mandates."
The historical context explains how many American municipalities became burdened with excessive parking requirements. While 19th-century transportation focused on walking and streetcars, the automobile's rise in the early 20th century transformed urban landscapes. By the mid-20th century, car ownership became the norm, offering convenience and independence but leading to traffic congestion and reduced public transit use. In subsequent decades, zoning codes began requiring developers to construct more parking than needed, creating an overabundance that now plagues many communities.
For Haltom City, current stringent parking requirements have stalled redevelopment of vacant buildings. "Frequently, these properties don't have enough space available to meet the current parking requirements," Palmer explained. "When someone comes along and shows interest in leasing a property, they find out there isn't enough space to meet the city's parking mandates. Business owners really have no other choice but to set up shop elsewhere."
Eliminating these mandates could help bring small businesses back to Haltom City's older commercial corridors, providing both aesthetic improvements and much-needed jobs for residents. Palmer emphasized that removing parking minimums in specific areas like Denton Highway, and Carson, Belknap and Northeast 28th streets would rejuvenate development. Haltom United Business Alliance Founder Ron Sturgeon identified parking mandates as the primary reason vacant properties can't attract tenants, noting that unnecessary regulations hamper the city's ability to bring prosperity back to the area.
The economic implications extend beyond individual businesses. A flourishing business community translates to higher employment rates and could help ease the tax burden on residents. As smaller towns demonstrate the benefits of parking reform, the movement offers a practical solution for municipalities struggling with vacant properties and stagnant development. The success in towns like Port Townsend and Charlottesville provides evidence that parking reform isn't exclusively an urban issue but represents a viable strategy for small-town economic revitalization.
