When residents struggle to find street parking near their home, it can be frustrating. It can also increase neighborhood traffic, safety hazards, and make getting home hard for people with mobility challenges. We are using data on permits, meters, and other sources of parking demand to identify the areas of DC that are under high parking stress. We will then analyze and get stakeholder input on potential policy solutions to ease demand in high-stress areas. This project will inform how DC manages, and potentially updates, the residential parking permit program.
A residential parking permit sign. (Photo credit: The Lab @ DC)
Why is this issue important in DC?
Currently, DC vehicle owners can buy a residential parking permit if they live on a designated street. The permits allow them to park on designated blocks in their zone. DC has eight residential parking zones that generally follow ward boundaries. Parkers without a residential permit can pay to park, park up to a time limit (such as two hours), or get a visitor permit from a resident. In some neighborhoods, demand for street parking exceeds available residential spaces. For example, in 2022, 4,200 cars belonging to Dupont Circle residents had permits, but the neighborhood only had 2,500 residential spaces on the street.1 That means that, even when they have permits, residents may have to park far away from their homes, compete for parking spaces with non-residents, and/or pay for off-street parking. This can cause traffic congestion and illegal parking, which is unsafe for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders.2
What are we doing?
This project seeks to identify areas experiencing high parking stress by looking at how drivers use existing parking spaces. First, we’ll calculate the number of residential parking spaces on each block—this is the supply. Our supply calculation will draw from data on parking policies and mapping tools from DDOT. Second, we’ll estimate how many drivers want to access on-street parking spaces on each block—this is the demand. Our demand estimate will combine data on permits and metered parking, as well as land use and zoning characteristics. We will validate our analysis with quantitative and qualitative data on residential parking complaints and by collecting snapshots of curbside parking availability. We will share our findings with DDOT, residents, and other people affected by parking. Together, we’ll brainstorm possible solutions that improve parking efficiency without sacrificing other curbside priorities.
What have we learned?
In 2026, we expect to have initial estimates of parking stress.
What comes next?
The project will help the District understand the effectiveness of current parking policies. What we learn may shape ongoing discussions about changes to the residential permit system.
1 District Department of Transportation. “Innovative Parking Practices on Residential Streets Study FY 2021-2022.” Report to Council. Washington, DC, August 2022.
2 Kittelson & Associates, Inc. “Penn Quarter/Chinatown Parking Pricing Pilot.” Report to the District Department of Transportation. Washington, DC, January 2019.