Minnesota Democrats announced plans Tuesday to introduce legislation that would prohibit cities across the state from imposing parking minimums on new developments.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, would override local zoning codes that require developers to build a certain number of parking spots based on factors like building size and land use.
Supporters say the mandate increases housing costs and takes away space that could be used for additional housing units. They point to Minneapolis, which eliminated parking minimums in 2021, leading to more affordable housing starts according to research from Pew Charitable Trusts.
But the proposed state ban faces opposition from local governments, who want to retain zoning authority. The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said in a statement that Minneapolis’ approach may not work for small towns.
Fateh argued the bill is about “getting cities unstuck” from outdated policies at a Tuesday press conference. Also speaking in favor was U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has introduced federal legislation to ban parking minimums nationally.