Denver Repeals Parking Minimums to Boost Affordable Housing and Cut Red Tape

In a landmark vote, Denver City Council repealed mandatory parking minimums for new housing and development projects—becoming one of the largest U.S. cities to make the change. The move is being hailed by housing advocates as a key step toward lowering construction costs, accelerating affordable housing, and streamlining development timelines.

Caroline Leland of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project noted that mandatory parking requirements often derail projects that would otherwise bring affordability to underserved areas. New Charity’s House, a 36-unit project for low-income families, was only built after it secured a narrow exemption from the rule due to nearby transit access.

Councilmember Chris Hinds added that the repeal will free up over 650 hours of staff time annually, accelerating the permitting pipeline. With rents softening in Denver after a multi-year apartment construction boom, housing advocates point to this reform—and others—as helping shift the balance.

As Calgary debates its own zoning and density reforms, Denver’s experience adds momentum to North America’s growing trend of reducing regulatory barriers in high-cost housing markets.

Source: MSN News (CBS Colorado), “Housing advocates cheer repeal of Denver parking minimum requirements,” July 29, 2025. Housing advocates cheer repeal of Denver parking minimum requirements

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