Winston-Salem Planning Board Considered Parking Reform
The board reviewed a proposal to replace mandatory vehicle-parking minimums with recommendations to meet state law.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Remote Work
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The City-County Planning Board held a public hearing on October 8, 2026, to discuss Proposal UDO-CC39. This measure seeks to transition from mandatory off-street parking minimums to recommendations across six chapters of the Unified Development Ordinances.
Why it matters
The proposal aligns local zoning codes with House Bill 162, which prohibits North Carolina local governments from enforcing minimum off-street parking counts starting in 2027.
The hearing included 12-minute blocks for both supporting and opposing speakers. The proposal updates six chapters of the Unified Development Ordinances while keeping requirements for bicycle parking, landscaping, and accessible spaces in effect.
The players
City-County Planning Board
This body manages zoning and development regulations for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.
Winston-Salem City Council
The council is the legislative governing body that will ultimately vote on the final adoption of the ordinance changes.
The details
The board met at the Bryce Stuart Municipal Building to deliberate on the shift from mandates to recommendations for vehicle parking. While vehicle counts are being dropped, other infrastructure mandates like accessibility features and landscaping standards remain unchanged.
Timeline
July 6, 2026: House Bill 162 was signed into law.
October 8, 2026: The Planning Board held a public hearing at 4:30 p.m.
January 1, 2027: The state-mandated parking restriction takes effect.
Market Landscape
This move represents a broader shift as local jurisdictions adapt to statewide legislative mandates regarding land use. By aligning with state law, the region is moving toward a regulatory framework that prioritizes flexibility over legacy parking requirements.
Residents and local business owners may see changes in how future development projects handle vehicle capacity. While existing rules for landscaping and accessibility remain, the removal of parking minimums may influence local site design and urban density.
The takeaway
Local governments across the state are currently retooling their ordinances to comply with the upcoming 2027 state-wide parking mandate. Residents should monitor future city council meetings to see how these adjustments influence site planning and development in their specific neighborhoods.
What happens next
The Winston-Salem City Council will conduct a formal review and vote on the proposal following the Planning Board's recommendation.
Further reading
For broader insights into urban development and changing workplace infrastructure, visit the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WS Chronicle.
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