Small Towns Across Texas Could Benefit from Parking Reform, Following National Trend

While major urban centers like New York and San Francisco have received attention for eliminating parking minimums, smaller towns across the United States are now experiencing substantial economic benefits from similar reforms. According to the Parking Reform Network's mandates map available at https://www.parkingreform.org/mandatesmap, for every large city that has removed parking minimums, two smaller towns have successfully implemented the same policy changes.

Port Townsend, Washington, a historic waterfront town with a population just over 10,000, eliminated parking mandates in 2024 ahead of many larger municipalities in the state. The city converted minimum parking requirements to recommendations after research and community input indicated the city was using too many parking spaces that could be put to better use. Similarly, Charlottesville, Virginia, with a population of 47,000, passed a comprehensive zoning code in late 2023 that eliminated parking requirements.

"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." Palmer noted that eliminating costly parking mandates would help bring small businesses back to Haltom City, particularly in older commercial corridors that have experienced decline.

The historical context of parking requirements reveals how many municipalities became mired in an overabundance of parking. Following the automobile's transformation of American cities by 1930, local zoning codes in the latter half of the 20th century began requiring developers to construct more parking areas regardless of actual need. These requirements often failed to reflect actual parking demand, leading to an overabundance of parking that now hinders redevelopment in many communities.

For Haltom City, current stringent parking requirements have effectively halted 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."

Haltom United Business Alliance is urging the city to specifically remove parking minimums in south and central areas, including Denton Highway, and Carson, Belknap and Northeast 28th streets. Founder Ron Sturgeon believes parking mandates are the primary reason vacant properties in Haltom City can't attract tenants. "These unnecessary parking regulations serve no useful purpose, other than to hamper the city's ability to bring prosperity back to the area," Sturgeon said, noting that businesses operating in the city would help ease the tax burden on residents.

The economic implications extend beyond individual businesses. Palmer emphasized that attracting small businesses would provide a boost to rejuvenating areas in multiple ways, improving city aesthetics while providing much-needed jobs for residents. "Just imagine what Haltom City would look like if businesses occupied all those vacant buildings," Palmer said. "And it's such an easy fix, too. There's simply no reason it can't be done."