Governor Stein Signs Bipartisan Parking Reform into Law

Sustain Charlotte is celebrating a major win for smart growth, affordable housing, and a healthier natural environment across North Carolina. Governor Josh Stein has signed HB 162, a bipartisan bill that limits local government parking minimum requirements in many situations, helping communities create more flexible, affordable, and people-friendly development.

Mandatory parking minimums have led to excessive amounts of paved surface, which is costly and harmful to the environment.

This achievement was made possible through the work of many partners across the state. Sustain Charlotte was proud to advocate for this legislation alongside our partners in Piedmont Promise, a regional coalition facilitated by Catawba Riverkeeper that works to advance policies supporting thriving communities and a healthier environment.

For too long, outdated parking minimums have required businesses, housing developments, and community spaces to build more parking than they actually need. Those mandates increase construction costs, consume valuable land, and encourage automobile dependence—even in places where people could walk, bike, or use transit.

By reducing unnecessary parking requirements, North Carolina communities will have greater flexibility to build more affordable housing, support small businesses by lowering development costs, and create walkable neighborhoods where homes, shops, and services are closer together. Replacing excess pavement with homes, trees, and productive uses also helps reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and lessen the urban heat island effect.

At Sustain Charlotte, we believe communities should be designed for people, not just parked cars. Parking should respond to real market demand, not one-size-fits-all government mandates. This new law gives communities more tools to create vibrant neighborhoods that expand transportation choices, strengthen local businesses, improve environmental outcomes, and make it easier for more people to afford to live in the places they love.

We thank Governor Stein and the bipartisan lawmakers who supported this important legislation, and we’re grateful to our partners in Piedmont Promise for helping make this victory possible.